Cochlear efferent feedback balances interaural sensitivity.
Neurons in the lateral superior olive (LSO) compute sound location based on differences in interaural intensity, coded in ascending signals from the two cochleas. Unilateral destruction of the neuronal feedback from the LSO to the cochlea, the lateral olivocochlear efferents, disrupted the normal interaural correlation in response amplitudes to sounds of equal intensity. Thus, lateral olivocochlear feedback maintains the binaural balance in neural excitability required for accurate localization of sounds in space.
Darrow
Keith N
KN
Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Maison
Stéphane F
SF
Liberman
M Charles
MC
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D051379:Mice; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000502:physiology*; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D013017:Sound Localization / Q000502:physiology*