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High-frequency electromotile responses in the cochlea
Karl Grosh1, Jiefu Zheng, Yuan Zou
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan, 3124 G.G. Brown Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|May 14, 2004
Summary
Mammalian outer hair cells (OHCs) generate mechanical force from electrical energy, influencing cochlear vibrations. This study demonstrates OHCs
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Cellular Biophysics
Background:
- Mammalian outer hair cells (OHCs) are crucial for hearing, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy (electromotility).
- OHC electromotility modulates cochlear partition vibrations in vivo, but its high-frequency effects on sensory epithelium motion remain largely unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the in vivo mechanical response of the basilar membrane to electrical stimulation of the guinea pig cochlea at high frequencies.
- To determine the contribution of outer hair cells to this high-frequency mechanical response.
Main Methods:
- In vivo electrical stimulation of the guinea pig cochlea.
- Measurement of basilar membrane mechanical responses.
- Application of salicylate to assess the role of OHCs.
Main Results:
- Electrical stimulation induced a mechanical response of the basilar membrane up to 100 kHz, exceeding the guinea pig's hearing limit.
- Salicylate perfusion reversibly diminished the electromotile response, confirming OHC involvement.
Conclusions:
- Outer hair cell electromotility significantly influences basilar membrane mechanics at frequencies up to 100 kHz in vivo.
- OHC function is critical for high-frequency mechanical responses in the cochlea.