Skip to main content
Top

Open Access 29-01-2025 | Review

Sources of Microstructure in Mammalian Cochlear Responses

Author: James B. Dewey

Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology

Login to get access

Abstract

Quasiperiodic fluctuations with frequency are observed in a variety of responses that either originate from or strongly depend on the cochlea’s active mechanics. These spectral microstructures are unique and stable features of individual ears and have been most thoroughly studied in behavioral hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). While the exact morphology of the microstructure patterns may differ across measurement types, the patterns are interrelated and are thought to depend on common mechanisms. This review summarizes the characteristics and proposed origins of the microstructures observed in behavioral and OAE responses, as well as other mechanical and electrophysiological responses of the mammalian cochlea. Throughout, the work of Glenis Long and colleagues is highlighted. Long contributed greatly to our understanding of microstructure and its perceptual consequences, as well as to the development of techniques for reducing the impact of microstructure on OAE-based assays of cochlear function.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Kemp DT (1979) The evoked cochlear mechanical response and the auditory microstructure: evidence for a new element in cochlear mechanics. Scand Audiol Suppl 9:35–47 Kemp DT (1979) The evoked cochlear mechanical response and the auditory microstructure: evidence for a new element in cochlear mechanics. Scand Audiol Suppl 9:35–47
9.
go back to reference Kemp DT (2007) The basics, the science, and the future potential of otoacoustic emissions. In: Robinette MS, Glattke TJ (eds) Otoacoustic emissions: clinical applications, 3rd edn. Thieme, pp 7–42 Kemp DT (2007) The basics, the science, and the future potential of otoacoustic emissions. In: Robinette MS, Glattke TJ (eds) Otoacoustic emissions: clinical applications, 3rd edn. Thieme, pp 7–42
18.
go back to reference Horst JW, Wit HP, Ritsma RJ (1983) Psychophysical aspects of cochlear acoustic emissions (“Kemp-tones”). In: Klinke R, Hartmann R (eds) Hearing — Physiological Bases and Psychophysics. Springer, Berlin, pp 89–96 Horst JW, Wit HP, Ritsma RJ (1983) Psychophysical aspects of cochlear acoustic emissions (“Kemp-tones”). In: Klinke R, Hartmann R (eds) Hearing — Physiological Bases and Psychophysics. Springer, Berlin, pp 89–96
48.
go back to reference Zwicker E (1986) Spontaneous oto-acoustic emissions, threshold in quiet, and just noticeable amplitude modulation at low levels. In: Moore BCJ, Patterson RD (eds) Frequency Selectivity. Springer, Boston, MA, pp 49–59CrossRef Zwicker E (1986) Spontaneous oto-acoustic emissions, threshold in quiet, and just noticeable amplitude modulation at low levels. In: Moore BCJ, Patterson RD (eds) Frequency Selectivity. Springer, Boston, MA, pp 49–59CrossRef
50.
go back to reference Long GR (1993) Perceptual consequences of otoacoustic emissions. In: Schick A (ed) Contributions to psychological acoustics: results of the 6th oldenburg symposium on psychological acoustics. University of Oldenburg Press, Oldenburg, Germany, pp 59–80 Long GR (1993) Perceptual consequences of otoacoustic emissions. In: Schick A (ed) Contributions to psychological acoustics: results of the 6th oldenburg symposium on psychological acoustics. University of Oldenburg Press, Oldenburg, Germany, pp 59–80
60.
go back to reference Kemp D, Brown A (1983) An integrated view of cochlear mechanical nonlinearities observable from the ear canal. In: De Boer E, Viergever MA (eds) Mechanics of Hearing: Proceedings of the IUTAM/ICA Symposium. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp 75–82 Kemp D, Brown A (1983) An integrated view of cochlear mechanical nonlinearities observable from the ear canal. In: De Boer E, Viergever MA (eds) Mechanics of Hearing: Proceedings of the IUTAM/ICA Symposium. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp 75–82
62.
go back to reference Heitmann J, Waldmann B, Schnitzler H-U, Plinkert PK, Zenner H-P (1998) Suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) near 2f1−f2 removes DP-gram fine structure—evidence for a secondary generator. J Acoust Soc Am 103:1527–1531. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.421290CrossRef Heitmann J, Waldmann B, Schnitzler H-U, Plinkert PK, Zenner H-P (1998) Suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) near 2f1−f2 removes DP-gram fine structure—evidence for a secondary generator. J Acoust Soc Am 103:1527–1531. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1121/​1.​421290CrossRef
64.
90.
go back to reference Long GR, Shaffer LA, Dhar S, Talmadge CL (2000) Cross species comparison of otoacoustic fine-structure. In: Wada H, Takasaka T, Ikeda K, Ohyama K, Koike T (eds) Recent Developments in Auditory Mechanics. World Scientific, Singapore, pp 367–373CrossRef Long GR, Shaffer LA, Dhar S, Talmadge CL (2000) Cross species comparison of otoacoustic fine-structure. In: Wada H, Takasaka T, Ikeda K, Ohyama K, Koike T (eds) Recent Developments in Auditory Mechanics. World Scientific, Singapore, pp 367–373CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Sources of Microstructure in Mammalian Cochlear Responses
Author
James B. Dewey
Publication date
29-01-2025
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology
Print ISSN: 1525-3961
Electronic ISSN: 1438-7573
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-025-00974-5