Influence of Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emissions (SOAE) on Acoustic Distortion Product Input/Output Functions: Does the Medial Efferent System Act Differently in the Vicinity of an SOAE?

Abstract

Otoacoustic emission (OAE) generation mechanisms reside in the active micromechanical properties of the organ of Corti, and especially in the outer hair cells (OHCs). OHCs are strongly innervated by medial efferent olivo-cochlear fibres. Decrease of the intensity of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs) and modification of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) during acoustic stimulation of the contralateral ear have already been shown in humans. Similar results were obtained in guinea pigs with a decrease of 2F1-F2 acoustic distortion products (DPOAEs) and a suppression of the effect with sectioning of the floor of the fourth ventricle. The present study sought to investigate the influence of contralateral auditory stimulation on DPOAEs recorded in humans. It shows a decrease in DPOAE intensity for all frequencies, at levels above 45 dB SPL of contralateral broad band noise. This effect was found at levels of contralateral BBN well below the acoustic reflex threshold, and in subjects without acoustic reflex. Moreover, the influence of transcranial transmission could be ruled out since no effect was found when contralateral BBN applied to the altered ear of totally unilaterally deaf patients. Thus, the contralateral acoustic stimulation effect on DPOAEs provides a new means of functional exploration of the medial efferent system in humans. The effect obtained is more ample at low primary frequency levels. Moreover, as DPOAEs are known to be stronger and to show more irregular input/output function patterns in the vicinity of an SOAE, the influence of contralateral auditory stimulation was studied for DPOAEs recorded at 10 Hz, 50 Hz and 150 Hz from an SOAE frequency.

Key words:

• spontaneous otoacoustic emissions
• acoustic distortion products
• cochlear efferent system