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Some ECMR properties in relation to other signals from the auditory periphery
Hearing Research
|June 1, 1980
Summary
Acoustic emissions (AE) in humans and monkeys reveal insights into cochlear function. New findings show AE changes with click trains and noise, suggesting a vulnerable cochlear filter mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Cochlear Physiology
Background:
- Acoustic emissions (AE) provide a non-invasive window into cochlear function.
- Understanding the generation and properties of AE is crucial for diagnosing hearing disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review basic characteristics of monkey and human acoustic emissions.
- To present new data on human AE and discuss their relation to cochlear output.
- To explore the generation site and properties of AE in relation to cochlear mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on monkey and human acoustic emissions.
- Presentation of new data on human AE responses to click trains and noise bursts.
- Comparison of AE latencies with whole-nerve action potential (AP) and single cochlear nerve-fiber responses.
Main Results:
- Input-output functions and frequency dispersal of monkey AE were described.
- Human AE showed changes during click trains and suppression after noise bursts.
- AE latencies at low stimulus levels align with cochlear impulse timing, suggesting peripheral generation.
Conclusions:
- Acoustic emissions are likely generated peripherally to the inner hair cell synapse.
- AE waveform changes with stimulus intensity and intoxication parallel nerve-fiber firing properties.
- AE reflect the activity of a sharply tuned and vulnerable cochlear filter mechanism.