A common microstructure in behavioral hearing thresholds and stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions
James B Dewey1, Sumitrajit Dhar1
1Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|December 3, 2017
Summary
Behavioral hearing thresholds and stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) show similar frequency fluctuations. This suggests intracochlear reflections influence hearing perception and SFOAE generation.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Acoustics
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- Behavioral hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) display quasiperiodic frequency fluctuations.
- These microstructures are often attributed to intracochlear reflections of stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between behavioral hearing thresholds and SFOAE microstructures.
- To examine the dependence of these microstructures on the SFOAE generation mechanism.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of behavioral thresholds and SFOAEs evoked by near-threshold tones in 12 normal-hearing female subjects.
- Analysis of SFOAE amplitudes, delays, and phase accumulation.
Main Results:
- Striking similarities were observed between microstructures in behavioral thresholds and SFOAE amplitudes and delays.
- SFOAE phase accumulation was consistent with microstructure periodicity linked to SFOAE propagation delays.
- Microstructure depth correlated with SFOAE magnitude, aligning with the intracochlear reflection framework.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the intracochlear reflection framework for understanding auditory microstructure.
- This framework may offer insights into middle ear transmission parameters and their frequency dependence.
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