title: Evaluation of the influence of visual stimulation in the active mechanisms of the organ of Corti by analyzing the changes in the amplitude of distortion products.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The central nervous system can regulate the input of information to the cochlea by means of the activity of the olivocochlear efferent system on the active micromechanisms of the organ of Corti. This article discusses a quantitative study of the inhibitory phenomenon that visual tasks exert on active cochlear micromechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied prospectively the characteristics of distortion products (DPs) in 80 normal ears, with and without visual stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed a decrease in the amplitude of DPs (2F1-F2), which was significant in frequencies between 1500 and 6000 Hz.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual stimulation causes a modulation of the cochlear micromechanisms from the central nervous system from the medial olivocochlear bundle of the efferent auditory pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao Spain.
authors.forename: Agustin Martinez
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ibargüen
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santaolalla Montoya
authors.forename: Ana Sanchez
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: del Rey
authors.forename: Jose Maria Sanchez
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult