Ultrasonic electrocochleography in guinea pig

In order to obtain information about how ultrasonic stimuli are perceived (USP) in man, guinea pig cochleae were stimulated by bone conduction with frequencies (98.8 and 143.5 kHz) above the normal auditory field of this animal. The cochlear potentials recorded consisted of CM, SP and AP originating from the basal turn of the cochlea, and were found to be influenced by asphyxia, administration of ethacrynic acid, hypothermia and change of interstimulus interval. In addition, in kanamycin-treated animals the mean AP amplitude decreased to about one fourth of the normal value, and the mean AP latency increased significantly. These findings suggest that there is no special sense organ for the detection of USP but that such sounds activate hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea.