Far-field cochlear microphonics in man and their relation to cochlear integrity.
Far-field cochlear microphonics (CM) in man have been measured as a function of frequency by phase-sensitive detection. CM amplitude, dispersion and input-output functions vary periodically with frequency and exhibit certain frequency windows, where responses are approximately frequency specific, in contrast to the commonly accepted model of basal turn CM generators as main sources. Pathological cochleae show abnormal amplitude and phase functions. The results offer new diagnostic possibilities, because haircell function can be evaluated by a routine non-invasive procedure down to the low frequency speech range.
D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D006801:Humans