Archives of oto-rhino-laryngology

, Volume 224, Issue 1–2, pp 71–78 | Cite as

Some aspects of temporal coding by single cochlear fibres from regions of cochlear hair cell degeneration in the guinea pig

  • R. V. Harrison
  • E. F. Evans
Article

Summary

Some temporal coding properties of cochlear nerve fibres are investigated in kanamycin-treated guinea pigs (GPs) with various degrees of outer hair cell (OHC) degeneration. In particular, the phase locking ability of fibres from pathological cochleas, and also their adaptation properties are compared with the properties of normal cochlear fibres. No systematic effects of OHC loss on these properties have so far been found.

These preliminary results therefore suggest (in so far as these animals can be regarded as models of sensorineural hearing loss of cochlear origin in man) that little deterioration should be expected in functions purely dependent upon faithful temporal coding of the stimulus waveform.

Key words

Cochlear fibre responses Cochlear pathology Temporal coding 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Bredberg, G.: Cellular pattern and nerve supply of the human organ of Corti. Acta Otolaryngol. [Suppl.] (Stockh.) 236 (1968)Google Scholar
  2. Boer, E. de: Measurement of critical bandwidth in cases of perception deafness. Proc. 3rd Internat. Congr. on Acoustics, Stuttgart 1, 100–102. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1959Google Scholar
  3. Boer, E. de, Bouwmeester, J.: Critical bands and sensorineural hearing loss. Audiology 13, 239–259 (1974)Google Scholar
  4. Dallos, P., Harris, D.: Properties of auditory nerve responses in absence of outer hair cells. J. Neurophysiol. 41, 2, 365–383 (1978)Google Scholar
  5. Evans, E. F.: The frequency response and other properties of single fibres in the guinea pig cochlear nerve. J. Physiol. 266, 263–287 (1972)Google Scholar
  6. Evans, E. F.: Normal and abnormal functioning of the cochlear nerve. In: Sound Reception in Mammals. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. Bench, R. J., Pye, A., Pye, J. D. (eds.), pp. 197, 37, 133–165. London: Academic Press 1975aGoogle Scholar
  7. Evans, E. F.: The sharpening of cochlear frequency selectivity in the normal and abnormal cochlea. Audiology 14, 419–444 (1975b)Google Scholar
  8. Evans, E. F.: Neuroleptanaesthesia for the guinea pig: an ideal anaesthetic procedure for physiological studies of the auditory system. Arch. Otolaryngol. (in press) (1978a)Google Scholar
  9. Evans, E. F.: Single unit studies of the auditory nerve. In: Technological Basis of Auditory Investigation. Beagley, R. J. (ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press 1978bGoogle Scholar
  10. Evans, E. F.: Peripheral auditory processing in normal and abnormal ears: physiological considerations for attempts to compensate for auditory deficits by acoustic and electrical prostheses. In: Sensorineural hearing impairment and hearing aids. Ludvigsen, C., Barfod, J. (eds.). Scand Audiol. [Suppl.] 6, 9–47 (1978c)Google Scholar
  11. Evans, E. F.: Place and time coding of frequency in the peripheral auditory system: some physiological pros and cons. Audiology 17, 369–420 (1978d)Google Scholar
  12. Evans, E. F. et al.: Group Report: Disorders of hearing and language: understanding, diagnosis, rehabilitation. In: Recognition of complex acoustic signals. Bullock, T. H. (ed.), pp. 367–386. Dahlen-Konferenzen, Berlin 1977Google Scholar
  13. Harrison, R. V., Evans, E. F.: The effects of hair cell loss (restricted to outer hair cells) on the threshold and tuning properties of cochlear fibres in the guinea pig. In: Inner Ear Biology, Coll. INSERM, Vol. 68. Portmann, M., Aran, J.-M. (eds.), pp. 105–124. Paris: INSERM 1977Google Scholar
  14. Hood, J. D., Poole, J. P.: Speech audiometry in conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Sound 5, 30–38 (1971)Google Scholar
  15. Leshowitz, B., Lindstrom, R.: Measurement of non-linearities in listeners with sensorineural hearing loss. In: Psychophysics and physiology of hearing. Evans, E. F., Wilson, J. P. (eds.), pp. 283–292. London: Academic Press 1977Google Scholar
  16. Pick, G. F., Evans, E. F., Wilson, J. P.: Frequency resolution of patients with hearing loss of cochlear origin. In: Psychophysics and physiology of hearing. Evans, E. F., Wilson, J. P. (eds.), pp. 273–281. London: Academic Press 1977Google Scholar
  17. Rose, J. E., Brugge, J. F., Anderson, D. J., Hind, J. E.: Phase locked responses to low frequency tones in single auditory nerve fibres of the squirrel monkey. J. Neurophysiol. 30, 769–793 (1967)Google Scholar
  18. Schuknecht, H. F.: Pathology of the ear. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press 1974Google Scholar
  19. Wightman, F., McGee, T., Kramer, M.: Factors influencing frequency selectivity in normal and hearing impaired listeners. In: Psychophysics and physiology of hearing. Evans, E. F., Wilson, J. P. (eds.), pp. 295–306. London: Academic Press 1977Google Scholar
  20. Wilson, J. P., Johnstone, J. R.: Capacitive probe measures of basilar membrane vibration. In: Hearing theory, pp. 172–181. Eindhoven: IPO 1972Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1979

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. V. Harrison
    • 1
  • E. F. Evans
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Communication and NeuroscienceUniversity of KeeleKeeleEngland

Personalised recommendations