Cochlear potentials: A Status Report

Abstract

A brief overview of sensory receptor processes is given, and cochlear potentials (cochlear microphonic and summating potentials) are discussed in this general context. The problem of the identification of the sources of potential components from gross recordings is stressed and examples relating to microphonic phase and amplitude are given. Some recent results on identifying the source and mechanism of microphonic production are mentioned, as are new evidence concerning the composition of the summating potential.

Key Words:

• Cochlear electrophysiology
• Sensory receptor processes
• Difference and average components
• Cochlear microphonic
• Summating potential
• Whole-nerve action potential
• Source of potential components