Amplitude modulation of DPOAEs by acoustic stimulation of the contralateral ear.
CONCLUSIONS
Otoacoustic emissions generated by outer hair cells (OHCs) are influenced by stimulation of the contralateral ear via a neural pathway involving the olivo-cochlear efferent system. This is often referred to as a contralateral 'suppression reflex', but we suggest that such a term is inappropriate since distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) can be both enhanced and suppressed, and there is continuous modulation with no threshold effects.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the continuous amplitude modulation of DPOAEs by contralateral sound stimulation.


METHODS
In an animal model (chinchilla), DPOAEs were recorded in real time from one ear during presentation of acoustic stimuli to the opposite ear.


RESULTS
DPOAE amplitude is suppressed by an increase in contralateral stimulation, and enhanced by a decrease in same, i.e. the emissions are continuously modulated by activity in the opposite ear. The input-output function shows a linear relationship to this system over a 40-50 dB range of contralateral stimulus levels. After a neural delay time of approximately 25 ms, DPOAE amplitude closely follows contralateral amplitude signals up to modulation frequencies of approximately 20 Hz. Thus, stimuli to one ear continually modulate the OHC system (and therefore the biomechanical amplification) of the contralateral cochlea.
Harrison
R V
RV
Auditory Science Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology - HNS, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada. rvh@sickkids.ca
Sharma
A
A
Brown
T
T
Jiwani
S
S
James
A L
AL
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D002682:Chinchilla / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D009476:Neurons, Efferent / Q000502:physiology; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology*; D012022:Reflex, Acoustic / Q000502:physiology