EFFERENT MODIFICATIONS OF COCHLEAR PROCESSING

本项目的目标是寻求进一步了解 Corti器官通过研究其对声音的生理反应来发挥作用 和电刺激与选定的操纵。失活或 传出神经系统的电激活将用于改变 "正常"耳蜗功能将测量相关反应的总体值 电位和耳道耳声发射。传出神经的作用 耳蜗处理的神经系统仍然未知。 我将检查目标 耳蜗反应的改变作为消除 传出神经系统，或过度刺激它。这些操作将 重点放在传出的作用，在改善信号检测， 噪声外毛细胞对耳蜗的正常功能至关重要。的 通过激活传出神经引起的对耳蜗反应的影响是 由外毛细胞介导。有趣的是耳蜗 对传出神经失活的条件的反应，或 长时间的刺激。目标二将研究 传出神经系统的电激活 耳声发射（EEOAE）记录在耳道中。的 EEOAE的表征是项目6的主要焦点， 研究项目2。刺激耳蜗的相对较新的方法 通过电刺激圆窗提供了一种令人兴奋的方式， 研究Corti器官功能。外毛细胞被认为是 EEOAE的来源，并反映了反向转导过程。的 耳蜗底部的外毛细胞在最大程度上运作 外毛细胞机械性能的增益点 以及反向转导过程。基底外侧的神经支配 毛细胞通过内侧传出系统提供了一种改变 外毛细胞的增益点。特别感兴趣的是 的可能性，并进一步了解我们的 "慢"传出效应。与"快"传出效应相反， 缓慢效应似乎与保护现象有关， 听觉损伤导致的听力损失。更好地了解 这种现象对暴露于噪音的人类具有明显的潜在益处。 声音.

The goals of this project are to seek to further our understanding of organ of Corti function by studying its physiological responses to sound and electrical stimulation with selected manipulations. Inactivation or electrical activation of the efferent neural system will be used to alter "normal" cochlear function. Cochlear responses will be measured as gross potentials and ear canal otoacoustic emissions. The role of the efferent neural system in cochlear processing remains unknown. Aim I will examine alterations in cochlear responses as a consequences of eliminating the efferent neural system, or over-stimulating it. These manipulations will focus on the efferents role in the improvement of signal detection in noise. The outer hair cell is crucial to normal cochlear function. The effects on cochlear responses caused by activation of the efferents is mediated through the outer hair cell. Of interest is the cochlea's response to conditions in which the efferents are inactivated or stimulated for extended periods of time. Aim II will examine the effects of electrical activation of the efferent system on the electrically evoked otoacoustic emission (EEOAE) recorded in the ear canal. The characterization of the EEOAE is the primary focus of project 6 and also studied in project 2. The relatively new method of stimulating the cochlea by electrically stimulating the round window provides an exciting way to study organ of Corti function. The outer hair cells are thought to be the source of the EEOAE and reflects the reverse transduction process. The outer hair cells in the base of the cochlea are operating at a maximum gain point in terms of the mechanical properties of the outer hair cells and the reverse transduction process. The innervation of the basal outer hair cells by the medial efferent system provides a means of altering the gain point of the outer hair cells. Of particular interest is the possibility of differentiating and furthering our understanding of the "slow" efferent effect. In contrast to the "fast" efferent effect, the slow effect appears to be related to protective phenomenon that reduces hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma. A better understanding of this phenomenon has clear potential benefit to humans exposed to loud sounds.