Abstract
There is mounting evidence that the physiologically vulnerable sensitivity and frequency selectivity of cochlear partition movement (Khanna and Leonard, 1982; Sellick et al., 1982) results from outer hair cell (OHC) bidirectional transduction. These sensory receptors appear not only capable of converting acoustic energy into neural energy (mechano- electrical transduction) but possess effector abilities as well (electromechanical transduction). The first experimental evidence for cochlear bidirectional transduction came from Kemp’s (1978) observation that acoustic energy of cochlear origin can be measured in the external ear canal. Crossed olivo-cochlear bundle (COCB) stimulation has been shown to modulate the magnitude of Kemp’s ota-acoustic emissions (Mountain, 1980; Siegel and Kim, 1982) and to change inner hair cell receptor potentials but not their membrane impedance (Brown and Nutall, 1984). Both types of COCB experiment provide indirect evidence for OHC involvement in the generation of mechanical energy. Recent demonstrations of a motile response of OHC to electrical (Brownell, 1984; Brownell et al., 1985, 1986; Ashmore and Brownell, 1986; Kachar et al, 1986; Evans et al., 1986) and chemical stimuli (Goldstein and Mizukoshi, 1967; Brownell, 1984; Brownell et al., 1985; Flock et al., 1985; Zenner, et al., 1986; Evans et al., 1986) provide direct evidence for electro- and chemo-mechanical transduction by OHCs.
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© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
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Brownell, W.E. (1986). Outer Hair Cell Motility and Cochlear Frequency Selectivity. In: Moore, B.C.J., Patterson, R.D. (eds) Auditory Frequency Selectivity. Nato ASI Series, vol 119. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_13
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