Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Sound emission from the ear triggered by single molecules?

H P Wit, R J Ritsma

Neuroscience Letters

|October 10, 1983

Summary

Researchers measured the minimum energy needed to influence cochlear echoes, a sound emitted by the ear. The extremely low energy suggests molecular processes are involved, potentially impacting theories of normal cochlear functioning.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Asymmetric vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in unilateral Menière patients.

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·2010

Same author

The effect of changes in perilymphatic K+ on the vestibular evoked potential in the guinea pig.

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·2010

Same author

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the pigeon inner ear.

Journal of vestibular research : equilibrium & orientation·2009

Same author

Acute endolymphatic hydrops has no direct effect on the vestibular evoked potential in the guinea pig.

Journal of vestibular research : equilibrium & orientation·2009

Same author

A Bast-like valve in the pigeon?

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·2009

Same author

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the guinea pig inner ear, comparison of OPFOS and light microscopy, applications of 3D reconstruction.

Journal of microscopy·2009

Area of Science:

Auditory Neuroscience
Bioacoustics
Otoacoustic Emissions

Background:

The human ear produces 'cochlear echoes,' delayed acoustic responses to sound stimulation.
Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) are weak sounds emitted by normal ears without external stimulation.
Understanding the energy dynamics of these emissions is crucial for auditory science.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the minimum stimulus energy required to influence spontaneous otoacoustic emissions.
To investigate the potential role of molecular-level processes in otoacoustic emissions.
To explore the implications of these findings for theories of normal cochlear function.

Main Methods:

Measurement of stimulus energy thresholds for influencing otoacoustic emissions.
Controlled acoustic stimulation protocols.
Analysis of energy levels in the electronvolt (eV) range.

Main Results:

The minimum energy required to influence otoacoustic emissions was found to be exceptionally low (approximately 1 eV).
This low energy threshold suggests that molecular processes are significantly involved in otoacoustic emission generation.
The findings indicate a direct link between stimulus energy and the acoustic emission process.

Conclusions:

Otoacoustic emissions are highly sensitive to minimal energy inputs, pointing to molecular mechanisms.
The study provides novel insights into the biophysical basis of otoacoustic emissions.
These results may necessitate revisions to current theories of normal cochlear functioning and auditory signal processing.

Related Experiment Videos