Exploring otoacoustic emissions with intracochlear pressure and motion measuremen

描述（由申请人提供）：当前申请中提出的实验使用成熟的微压力传感器和激光多普勒振动计技术来探测与耳声发射（oae）相关的潜在耳蜗力学。本应用程序旨在提供直接的活体耳蜗内观察，以进一步了解声发射产生、传播和耳蜗信号反向传输处理的基本问题。第一个目标将探索耳蜗反向传递中的主动过程，其余目标将继续并扩展我们之前在耳蜗中畸变产物oae （dpoae）的产生和传播方面的工作。声发射是在耳蜗内产生并在耳道中被检测到的声音，它携带着产生和塑造这些声音的机制的信息，从而提供了对耳蜗力学的非侵入性观察。然而，如何将声发射与耳蜗力学联系起来是声发射研究的一大挑战。在前进方向上，声音沿着耳蜗隔板产生行波，由外毛细胞的活动（耳蜗放大器）增强。然而，耳蜗放大器和耳蜗液在耳蜗反向传递中的作用尚不清楚。目的一通过同时测量耳蜗内（基底膜速度和耳蜗内压力）和耳道压力，研究耳蜗内声发射的产生部位，进一步探讨活动耳蜗的多音抑制作用；目标二旨在量化正反向传输中的行波和压缩波压力；目的三探讨逆向传递中耳蜗的主动过程。该结果将为耳蜗内观察提供基础，验证耳蜗声发射生成理论，为耳蜗三维模型的建立奠定基础。最后，从目前的应用结果将导致更有效的听力筛选方案用于研究和临床。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The experiments proposed in the current application use well-established micro-pressure-sensor and laser Doppler vibrometer techniques to probe underlying cochlear mechanics relating to otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). This application aims to provide direct intracochlear observation in vivo to further understand the fundamental questions in OAE generation, propagation and cochlear signal processing in reverse transmission. The first aim will explore the cochlear active process in reverse transmission and the rest of the aims will continue and extend our previous work on the generation and propagation of distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs) in the cochlea. OAEs are sounds generated within the cochlea and being detected in the ear canal, carrying the information about the mechanisms that generate and shape them, thus providing a noninvasive view into cochlear mechanics. However, how to relate OAE to cochlea mechanics is a big challenge in OAE research. In the forward direction, sound causes a traveling wave along the cochlear partition, which is boosted by the outer hair cells' activity (cochlear amplifier). However, the role of cochlear amplifier and cochlear fluid in cochlear reverse transmission is not clear. With simultaneous intracochlear (the basilar membrane velocity and intracochlear pressure) and ear canal pressure measurements, aim one studies the generation sites of OAE in the cochlea and further explore multiple tones suppression in active cochleae; aim two is designed to quantify the traveling wave and compression wave pressures in both forward and reverse transmissions; aim three explores the cochlear active process in reverse transmission. Thus the results will provide fundamental intracochlear observations, test the OAE generation theories and form the foundation for developing three-dimensional cochlear model. Finally, results from the current application will lead to more efficient OAE hearing screening program used in research and clinic. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) have been used in research and the clinic as a noninvasive tool to probe cochlear mechanics. However, how to link the OAE to specific cochlear mechanics is still not clear. The current application uses intracochlear approaches, micro-pressure-sensor and laser interferometer techniques, to bridge OAEs to cochlear physiology. The study will provide valuable intracochlear evidence on cochlear signal processing in OAE generation and transmission, test OAE theories and lead to more effective hearing screening programs for research and clinical applications.