Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions after vestibular nerve section in chinchillas.
Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions are believed to be sensitive to the effects of the cochlear efferent system. The most well-known function of this system is inhibitory on cochlear response. It has been demonstrated that crossed medial efferent system section produces inhibitory control of the outer hair cells mechanisms responsible for non-linear transient evoked otoacoustic emissions generation. However, we suppose that the uncrossed medial efferent system plays a role in outer hair cell function too. We recorded the non-linear part of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in 17 chinchillas before and after section of the vestibular nerve (crossed and uncrossed fibers). Responses at frequencies bands centered on 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2 and 4.0 kHz, as well as total emission responses, were analyzed. After vestibular nerve section, there were significant increases in the amplitudes of the 2.4- and 4.0 kHz responses and of the total response. These results indicate that the medial efferent system is important to maintain normal cochlear mechanics. Uncrossed medial efferent system and lateral efferent system seem to be not important in maintaining normal cochlear mechanics.
Murao
Marcia Sayuri
MS
Otorhinolaryngology Science Laboratory, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455, LIM 32, CEP 01246-903, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. marciamurao@hotmail.com
Bento
Ricardo Ferreira
RF
Sanchez
Tanit Ganz
TG
Ribas
Guilherme Carvalhal
GC
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla; D003051:Cochlea / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009476:Neurons, Efferent / Q000502:physiology*; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology*; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*