title: Toneburst-evoked auditory brainstem response in a leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx.
abstract: Toneburst-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in a captive subadult male leopard seal. Three frequencies from 1 to 4 kHz were tested at sound levels from 68 to 122 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level (peSPL). Results illustrate brainstem activity within the 1-4 kHz range, with better hearing sensitivity at 4 kHz. As is seen in human ABR, only wave V is reliably identified at the lower stimulus intensities. Wave V is present down to levels of 82 dB peSPL in the right ear and 92 dB peSPL in the left ear at 4 kHz. Further investigations testing a wider frequency range on seals of various sex and age classes are required to conclusively report on the hearing range and sensitivity in this species.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. joytripovich@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tripovich
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Purdy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001299:Audiometry; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D011930:Reaction Time; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors