Slow variation of the amplitude of acoustic distortion at f2-f1 in awake rabbits

M. L. Whitehead, B. L. Lonsbury-Martin, G. K. Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A slow, reversible change in f2-f1 distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitude in the absence of correlated changes in 2f1-f2 DPOAE amplitude has been recently reported in anesthetized guinea pigs and gerbils, suggesting a dissociation in the generation of these two emissions. It was proposed that the observed changes in f2-f1 amplitude may represent an efferent influence on cochlear mechanics [Brown A.M., Hear. Res., 34, 27-38, 1988]. In the present study, a search was made for similar changes in f2-f1amplitude in awake rabbits. Qualitatively similar variations in f2-f1 DPOAE amplitude, in the absence of 2f1-f2 amplitude variations, were found in all ears tested, supporting the hypothesis of a dissociation of the generators of the two DPOAEs. The behavior of the f2-f1 DPOAE amplitude changes observed here, however, provided no evidence of an efferent involvement.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)293-300
Number of pages8
JournalHearing Research
Volume51
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1991

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Sensory Systems

Keywords

  • Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions
  • Olivocochlear efferents
  • Rabbit

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