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Threshold sensitivity and frequency selectivity measured with round window whole nerve action potentials in the
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-4283.
Abstract:
Chronic electrodes, placed on the round windows of four adult chinchillas, were used to measure whole-nerve action potential (AP) thresholds and tuning curves. The AP quiet thresholds were within 17 dB of thresholds measured by behavioral methods and within 3 dB of those measured by other evoked response procedures. The AP tuning curves, obtained by a simultaneous masking procedure, were also similar to previously measured tuning curves in the chinchilla. These results indicate that long-term indwelling electrodes can be successfully placed on the chinchilla round window and used to measure threshold sensitivity and frequency selectivity. Recordings from these electrodes could be used in a variety of situations and may be particularly useful in studying the effects of noise on the cochlea.