Functioning of medial olivocochlear bundle in right- and left-handed individuals

ABSTRACT

Functional symmetry of medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) as a function of handedness remains to be well investigated. The current study aimed to assess the functional symmetry of MOCB through contralateral inhibition of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in right- and left-handed individuals. Thirteen left-handed and 13 right-handed individuals in the age range of 19–25 years participated. Behavioural experiment involved measuring speech perception in noise and vocal reaction time. Physiological experiment involved measuring the contralateral inhibition of OAEs in both the ears of participants. Findings of the current study revealed lack of functional asymmetry in right- as well as left-handed individuals. Results of the current study suggest that right- as well as left-handed individuals do not demonstrate functional asymmetry at the level of descending auditory pathways unlike the higher cortical centres.

KEYWORDS:

• Otoacoustic emissions
• laterality
• speech perception
• efferent auditory system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCiD

Ramesh Kaipa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0311-712X

U. Ajith Kumar http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1368-9834