豚鼠畸变产物耳声发射潜伏期的对侧抑制效应现象

目的 通过观察对侧抑制效应中畸变产物耳发射（distortion productotoacousticemissions,DPOAE)各指标的改变,探讨耳蜗生理机制及传出神经的调节机能。方法 12只健康杂色豚鼠分A、B2组,在对侧耳无声刺激及给予70dB SPL宽带噪声条件下,分别使用不同的原始纯音强度组合测定在f2＝2、4、6kHz时测试耳DPOAE之幅值及潜伏期。次日,A组动物背侧径路开放右耳听泡,圆窗膜给予60mmol/L卡因酸1μL,作用3h后拭去。给药后6h测试右耳无声刺激和给予70dB SPL宽带噪声刺激下,左耳的DPOAE幅值、潜伏期等指标。结果 ①用药前,A组对侧耳给声时以等强度原始音诱发的测试耳DPOAE各频率幅值与给声前基本无变化,而潜伏期显著延长;②用药前,B组对侧耳给声以差强度原始音（L2＝L1－10dB)诱发的测试耳DPOAE在2、4kHz的幅值与给声前相比有显著减小,潜伏期也显著延长;③A组用药后,对侧耳给声对测试耳DPOAE幅值和潜伏期均无显著影响。结论 潜伏期亦是对侧抑制研究中的敏感指标。对侧抑制效应在调制耳蜗转导机制中发挥负反馈作用。     

Human efferent adaptation of DPOAEs in the L1,L2 space

The adaptive properties of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 2f(1)-f2 were investigated in 12 ears of normally hearing adults aged 18-30 years using long-lasting 1-s primary-tone on-times. In this manner, DPOAE adaptation at a single f2 of 1.55 kHz (f2/f1=1.21) was evaluated as a function of the levels of the primary tones in a matrix of L1, L2 settings, which varied from 45 to 80 dB SPL, in 5-dB steps. DPOAEs were elicited under both monaural and binaural stimulus-presentation conditions. Adaptation was defined as the difference in DPOAE levels between the initial 92-ms baseline measure using a standard protocol and one obtained during the final 92 ms of the prolonged 1-s primary-tones. These differences were averaged across subjects to create contour plots of mean adaptation in the L1,L2 space. The 2f(1)-f2 DPOAE revealed consistent regions of suppression (-0.5 dB difference) or enhancement (+0.5 dB difference) with respect to baseline measures within the L(1),L(2) matrix for both acoustic-stimulation conditions. Specifically, 2f(1)-f2 DPOAE suppressions of 1-2 dB occurred for both monaural and binaural presentations, typically at level combinations in which L1>L2. In contrast, larger 2f(1)-f2 DPOAE enhancements of 3-4 dB occurred for only the binaural condition, at primary-tone level combinations where L1相似文献   

Detection of hearing loss using 2f2-f1 and 2f1-f2 distortion-product otoacoustic emissions.

Although many distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) may be measured in the ear canal in response to 2 pure tone stimuli, the majority of clinical studies have focused exclusively on the DPOAE at the frequency 2f1-f2. This study investigated another DPOAE, 2f2-f1, in an attempt to determine the following: (a) the optimal stimulus parameters for its clinical measurement and (b) its utility in differentiating between normal-hearing and hearing-impaired ears at low-to-mid frequencies (相似文献   

Suppression of the 2f1-f2 otoacoustic emission in humans.

Suppression of the 2f1-f2 distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), stimulated with primaries, f1 and f2, in the frequency regions of 1, 2, and 4 kHz was measured in one ear of 14 human subjects with normal hearing. Suppression rate functions were generated with a suppressor at either 1, 2, or 4 kHz increasing in level from 30 to 76 dB SPL for the corresponding f1 and f2 combinations. Stimulus levels for DPOAEs were L1 = 70 dB SPL and L2 adjusted to produce the highest amplitude DPOAE for each ear (range, 0 to 6 dB below L1). Results indicated that DPOAEs were reduced 3 dB in amplitude for a mean suppressor level of 61 dB SPL. Maximum amplitude reduction occurred at a mean suppressor level of 69 dB SPL. These levels varied little for the three stimulus frequency regions. Mean slopes of the rate functions decreased as stimulus frequency region increased. Suppression tuning curves (STCs) were generated in the same three frequency regions and with L1 at either 70 or 55 dB SPL and L2 adjusted individually for each ear. The tips of the STCs were at frequencies associated with f1 and f2. The tip regions of the STCs for the 4-kHz stimulus condition were more complex in that they contained more multiple minima than did those for the 1- and 2-kHz regions. Results confirm that optimal suppression of the 2f1-f2 DPOAE occurs for frequencies in the vicinity of f1 and f2 rather than at 2f1-f2.     

短时纯音暴露对畸变产物耳声发射的影响

畸变产物耳声发射（ＤＰＯＡＥ）测试中所采用的参数可以对测试结果有明显影响，为研究改变ＤＰＯＡＥ测试参数对反映耳蜗功能变化是否有影响，使１０只大白兔（１６耳）接触短时（３分钟）、中等强度（８２ｄＢＳＰＬ）的纯音暴露后发现，以等强原始音（Ｌ１＝Ｌ２）诱发的ＤＰＯＡＥ的幅度变化小于以差强原始音（Ｌ２＝Ｌ１－１２ｄＢ）诱发的ＤＰＯＡＥ（相差１０．１１ｄＢ），而其恢复过程也短于后者（相差１００．７１秒）。这种差别可能提示在ＤＰＯＡＥ的产生过程中有多个生理机制发挥作用，而变化测试参数则可以选择性地突出表现其中某一个机制     

Normal values for distortion product otoacoustic emissions in children: a study using primary levels previously demonstrated to be optimum for identification of hearing loss.

No published data exist for normal values of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in children at primary levels f1 = 65 dB and f2 = 55 dB SPL. These primary levels have been previously demonstrated to be optimal for identification of hearing impaired ears in adults. A total of 102 normal children underwent audiological assessment, including exclusion of middle ear disease, pure tone audiometry and DPOAE DP-grams (primaries L1/L2 = 65/55 dB SPL, f1:f2 = 1.22). There was a statistically significant decrease in DPOAE amplitude with increasing age. DPOAE amplitude was also dependent on the frequency of f2. However, there was wide inter- and intra-individual variation in DPOAE amplitude at different frequencies of f2. There was also a large overlap between the range of values of DPOAE amplitude between the adjacent age groups. Detailed assessment of DPOAE in children is feasible in the clinical setting. These normal values should prove invaluable in future studies; however, the large range of normal values means that cross-sectional studies may not be able to detect small variations in cochlear function.     

短时纯音暴露对畸变产物耳声发射的影响

畸变产物耳声发射（ＤＰＯＡＥ）测试所采用的参数可以对测试结果有明显影响，为研究改变ＤＰＯＡＥ测试参数对反映耳蜗功能变化是否有影响，使１０只大白兔（１６耳）接触短时（３分钟）、中等强度（８２ｄＢ ＳＰＬ）的纯音暴露后发现，以等强原始音（Ｌ１＝Ｌ２）诱发的ＤＰＯＡＥ的幅度变化小于以差强原始音（Ｌ２＝Ｌ１－１２ｄＢ）诱发的ＤＰＯＡＥ（相差１０．１１ｄＢ），而其恢复过程也短于后者（相差１００．７１秒）。这     

Asymmetric hemodynamic responses of the human auditory cortex to monaural and binaural stimulation

Applying whole-head functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 11 neurologically intact subjects, hemodynamic responses to mon- or binaurally presented auditory stimuli were measured. To expand on previous studies in this research area, we used tones and consonant–vowel (CV) syllables. In one group of subjects (n=6) the perceived loudness of the monaurally presented stimuli were adjusted so that they matched the loudness of the binaurally presented stimuli. In a second group (n=5) no loudness adjustment was performed, thus the monaural stimuli were perceived less loud (10 dB) than the binaural stimuli. These extensions allowed us to test whether CV syllables and tones produce different contralaterality effects (stronger hemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex contralateral to the stimulated ear) and whether binaural stimulation results in stronger activations in the auditory areas than during both monaural stimulation conditions (binaural summation) independent of loudness influences. In summary, we obtained the following findings: (1) strong contralaterality effects during monaural acoustic stimulation in the posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG) comprising the planum temporale and the dorsal bank of the superior temporal sulcus to CV syllables and tones; (2) the hemodynamic responses to contralaterally presented stimuli (during the monaural conditions) were mostly stronger than those to binaurally presented CV syllables; (3) there was no interaction between stimulus type and the size of the contralaterality effect; (4) there was no indication of binaural summation, rather we found stronger hemodynamic responses to the sum of both monaural stimulations (right and left ear) than to binaural stimulation in all auditory areas; (5) there were generally stronger hemodynamic responses to CV syllables than to tones in the posterior STG, while the hemodynamic responses to tones were stronger in the anterior part of the STG (temporal pole); and finally (6) there was no general difference in terms of hemodynamic response in the auditory cortex between the two groups when receiving either loudness-matched or non-loudness-matched monaural stimulation. These findings are discussed in the context of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms, the peculiarities of functional fMRI, and the direct access and callosal relay models of hemispheric lateralization.     

Effects of interaural intensity and time disparity on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions

Monaural and binaural 11/s, 65 dB pe SPL clicks with interaural time and intensity disparities known to affect central auditory processing were used to study contralateral suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) in 10 subjects (20 ears). Psychophysical assessment of sound lateralization induced by the same stimuli was also conducted. TEOAEs were recorded to monaural (ipsilateral to the OAE recording probe) and to binaural clicks when clicks to the contralateral ear were synchronous and symmetrical in intensity, or, in the binaural intensity disparity conditions, synchronous but 10 dB higher or 10 dB lower in the ear contralateral to the OAE recording probe. When interaural time disparities were studied, the clicks to the contralateral ear were of the same intensity throughout, but 400 μs earlier or 400 μs later than to the ear with the probe. The TEOAE components at 13–15.8 ms showed suppression, relative to monaural responses, under all binaural conditions. This contralateral suppression did not correlate with the psychophysical findings. Suppression effects were more pronounced with binaural disparity than with binaurally symmetrical clicks. Thus, although contralateral click intensity was the same with time disparities, suppression was paradoxically enhanced compared to the binaurally symmetrical stimulation. To explain these results we propose that two factors are involved in TEOAE suppression with binaural clicks: (1) contralateral intensity and (2) interaural disparity (time or intensity). The latency of the suppressions observed, the effect of interaural disparity on these suppressions, coupled with the anatomical origin of the crossed efferent fibers and the disparity sensitivity of the superior olivary complex (SOC), all suggest SOC involvement in these TEOAE suppressions.     

Optimum primary tone level setting for measuring high amplitude DPOAEs in guinea pigs

A special stimulus paradigm needs to be applied when distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) input/output functions are used to investigate the loss of sensitivity and loss of compression of outer hair cell cochlear amplifiers during noise exposure, drug treatment, etc. This stimulus paradigm should be able to reflect cochlear non-linear compressive sound processing known from direct basilar membrane measurements. Such a paradigm has already been established for humans that accounts for the different compression of the primary tones at the DPOAE generation site at f2 with L1 = 0.4 L2 + 39 dB SPL ('scissor paradigm'). The purpose of the present study was to develop an equivalent parameter setting for guinea pigs. Ninety-six different L1 - L2 combinations were presented to 24 ears in 18 pigmented guinea pigs at seven f2 frequencies between 2 and 16 kHz. L2 ranged from 20 to 60 dB SPL, L1 from 20 to 65 dB SPL. An extreme value analysis was performed to achieve the maximum DPOAE level for L1 in relation to L2. Linear regression analysis yielded a scissor paradigm specific to guinea pigs (L1 = 0.46 L2 + 41 dB SPL) which is similar to that of humans.     

Monaural and binaural adaptation in sequence: SDLB analogue?

Magnitude estimates (M.E.) of loudness of a 1-kc/s tone in the R ear at 60 db SPL were required over three 3-phase sessions from 15 normal-hearing young adults. The initial tone in the session was arbitrarily assigned a value of "60 units" in instructions to the S. The session was arranged to be analogous to that commonly used in Simultaneous Dichotic Loudness Balancing (SDLB). In a baseline Phase I in any of 3 sessions both ears received identical, simultaneous, intermittent stimulation. In each session, one of 3 duty cycles (randomized) were used (all on-times of .5 sec, off-times of .5, 4.5, or 24.5 sec). An M.E. judgment was requested every 10 sec for just over 1 min. Then immediately in Phase II the L ear received nothing while the R ear received continuous stimulation at 60 db SPL for 7 min, with M.E. Judgements requested every 10 sec during Min 1 and every min thereafter. Then in Phase III the R ear continued to receive continuous stimulation at 60 db SPL for 1 min while in the contralateral ear the condition of Phase I was re-introduced. M.E. loudness judgements for the R ear were requested as in Phase I. During Phase I there was, as expected, no loudness adaptation. During the adapting Phase II, M.E. group values declined progressively and significantly, but without significant differences among duty cycles. M.E. values in Phase III continued to decline significantly even though the contralateral ear was being given intermittent stimulation (irrespective of duty cycle). Previous studies had found that, for most listeners, M.E. loudness adaptation does not occur when the continuous stimulation is presented by itself. As far as is known, the present study is the first M.E. loudness adaptation study to present binaural intermittent stimulation before the continuous monaural stimulus. It is suggested that the redundancy of the continuous monaural stimulation, in comparison with the similar intermittent stimulus, is associated with the diminution of loudness.     

畸变产物耳声发射对侧抑制效应的研究

利用ＩＬＯ９２耳动态分析仪，测试２３例（４６耳）正常青年人的畸变产物耳声发射（ＤＰＯＡＥ）和对侧窄带噪声（ＮＢＮ）的影响。结果：（１）对侧ＮＢＮ对ＤＰＯＡＥ的抑制非常明显，随ＮＢＮ强度增加ＤＰＯＡＥ幅值下降增加，二者呈显著负相关（Ｆ２为１～６ｋＨｚ，γ为－０．４９～－０．２４，均Ｐ〈０．０５，斜率０．２６～０．０８ｄＢ／１０ｄＢ）。（２）在Ｆ２为中频（１．２ｋＨｚ）且为中等强度（４５～６５ｄＢＳＰ     

Influence of contralateral acoustic stimulation on distortion-product and spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in the barn owl

The avian auditory papilla provides an interesting object on which to study efferent influences, because whereas a significant population of hair cells in birds is not afferently innervated, all hair cells are efferently innervated (Fischer, 1992, 1994a, b). Previous studies in mammals using contralateral sound to stimulate the efferent system demonstrated a general suppressive effect on spontaneous and click-evoked, as well as on distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). As little is known about the effects of contralateral stimulation on hearing in birds, we studied the effect of such stimuli (broadband noise, pure tones) on the amplitude of the DPOAE 2f(1)-f(2) and on spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE) in the barn owl, Tyto alba. For the DPOAE measurements, fixed primary-tone pairs [f(1)=8.875 kHz (ratio=1.2), f(1)=8.353 kHz (ratio=1.15) and f(1)=7.889 kHz (ratio=1.1)] were presented and the DPOAE measured in the presence and absence of continuous contralateral stimulation. The DPOAE often declined in amplitude but in some cases we observed DPOAE enhancement. The changes in amplitude were as large as 9 dB. The influence of the contralateral noise changed over time, however, and the effects of contralateral tones were frequency-dependent. SOAE were suppressed in amplitude and shifted in frequency by contralateral broadband noise. Control measurements in animals after middle-ear muscle resection showed that these phenomena were not attributable to the acoustic middle-ear reflex. The finding of DPOAE enhancement is interesting, because a type of efferent fiber that suppressed its discharge rate during stimulation has been described in birds (Kaiser and Manley, 1994).     

Contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions: Effect of the primary frequency in Dpgrams

The amplitude of the 2f1–f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) can be suppressed by presenting contralateral acoustic stimulation. To test the hypothesis that DPOAE contralateral suppression is influenced by the primary frequency in DPgrams, DPgrams were recorded at resolutions of 1, 8, and 17 pts/octave, in the absence and presence of contralateral broadband noise (BBN). Participants were 20 normal-hearing human adults. In DPgrams with higher frequency resolutions, DPOAE suppression at amplitude peaks in DPgrams (8 pts/octave: Mean = ? 0.92 dB, SD = 0.71 for BBN at 60 dB SPL; 17 pts/octave: Mean = ? 0.25 to ?1.44 dB, SD = 0.51 to 0.86 for BBN at 40 to 70 dB SPL, respectively) was larger than the suppression at the dips in DPgrams (8 pts/octave: Mean = ? 0.13 dB, SD = 1.00; 17 pts/octave: Mean = ? 0.03 to ?0.73 dB, SD = 0.55 to 0.91). A larger intersubject variability in DPOAE contralateral suppression was observed at the dips. The results suggest that measuring DPOAE contralateral suppression at the primary frequencies corresponding to the peaks in DPgrams with higher frequency resolutions may improve the assessment of the efferent system function.     

Binaural acoustic reflex activity following monaural noise exposure in decerebrate chinchillas

Acoustic reflex thresholds, latencies and magnitudes were recorded binaurally in decerebrate chinchillas suffering monaural, temporary noise trauma. Simultaneous recordings of cochlear microphonics from both cochleae during monaural reflex stimulation served as an index for acoustic reflex dynamics. Baseline values of threshold, latency and magnitude were recorded from ipsilateral and contralateral ears prior to a monaural 2-hour exposure to a 0.5-kHz octave-band noise at 100 dB SPL. Reflex dynamics were measured immediately after exposure and again following 1 h of recovery. Cochlear microphonic input-output functions for the exposed ear were completed prior to and after cessation of the noise and after 1 h of recovery. Acoustic reflex threshold and magnitude increased and latency decreased following exposure to noise for both the ipsilateral and contralateral recording conditions. Reflex activity in the nonexposed ear was unaffected. Reflex properties returned to pre-exposure values following recovery. These responses followed the same time course as changes in cochlear sensitivity. Alterations in reflex response following noise exposure is caused by changes at purely peripheral sites.     

Contralateral suppression of DPOAE measured in real time

The aim of this study was to measure contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in real time. A total of 10 human subjects were studied with a novel device to record DPOAE without signal time averaging, using digital narrow band pass filtering. Real time DPOAE levels were recorded at 2f1-f2 using primary tone settings of f2/f1 = 1.22 and L1 = 70 dB SPL, L2 = 65 dB SPL, at five values of f2 between 2.2 and 7.7 kHz. An acoustic stimulus was applied intermittently to the contralateral ear to cause DPOAE suppression. Characteristic features of contralateral suppression were identified and distinguished from small spontaneous variations in the real time DPOAE signal. Magnitude of suppression increased with contralateral stimulus intensity. Onset latency of suppression was around 43 ms (31-95 ms). Potential clinical applications are discussed in the light of these findings, including a role in improving the specificity of neonatal hearing screening.     

Suppression and enhancement of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions by interference tones above f(2). II. Findings in humans

Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) suppression tuning curves (STCs) can be obtained in a variety of laboratory animals and humans by sweeping the frequencies and levels of a third tone (f(3)) around a set of f(1) and f(2) primaries. In small laboratory animals, it was previously observed that, when the suppressor tone (f(3)) is above f(2), substantial suppression and or enhancement (suppression/enhancement) could be obtained. In the present study, it was of interest to determine if similar suppression/enhancement phenomena could be observed in humans and to what extent this might influence the interpretation of STC results reported in the literature. To this end, STCs were measured for DPOAEs at 2f(1)-f(2) and 2f(2)-f(1) in human subjects at geometric-mean frequencies (GM) of 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz, and primary-tone equilevels of 80/80 and 75/75 dB SPL and unequal levels of 65/55 dB SPL. Overall, STC parameters were found to be comparable to those reported in the literature. For the 2f(1)-f(2) DPOAE, STC tip frequencies tuned to the region of the primaries, and tip frequencies were slightly influenced by primary-tone level. STC tip thresholds were typically within 10 dB of the level of L(2), and Q(10dB) values ranged from 1.0 to 2.5, which was consistent with the higher-level primaries employed. The 2f(1)-f(2) DPOAE showed consistent regions of suppression that were approximately an octave above the GM for the 1-kHz, 65/55-dB SPL condition. The 2f(2)-f(1) DPOAE tuned to its characteristic place above f(2) and showed reliable enhancement above the STC tip region for the 1-kHz, 75/75-dB SPL primaries. Overall, the results clearly revealed that human ears also display suppression/enhancement phenomena when f(3) reaches frequencies considerably above f(2). If suppression/enhancement phenomena reflect secondary DPOAE sources, then these sources are present in the ear-canal signal from humans as well as small laboratory animals.     

Contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions: effect of the primary frequency in Dpgrams

The amplitude of the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) can be suppressed by presenting contralateral acoustic stimulation. To test the hypothesis that DPOAE contralateral suppression is influenced by the primary frequency in DPgrams, DPgrams were recorded at resolutions of 1, 8, and 17 pts/octave, in the absence and presence of contralateral broadband noise (BBN). Participants were 20 normal-hearing human adults. In DPgrams with higher frequency resolutions, DPOAE suppression at amplitude peaks in DPgrams (8 pts/octave: Mean = - 0.92 dB, SD = 0.71 for BBN at 60 dB SPL; 17 pts/octave: Mean = - 0.25 to -1.44 dB, SD = 0.51 to 0.86 for BBN at 40 to 70 dB SPL, respectively) was larger than the suppression at the dips in DPgrams (8 pts/octave: Mean = - 0.13 dB, SD = 1.00; 17 pts/octave: Mean = - 0.03 to -0.73 dB, SD = 0.55 to 0.91). A larger intersubject variability in DPOAE contralateral suppression was observed at the dips. The results suggest that measuring DPOAE contralateral suppression at the primary frequencies corresponding to the peaks in DPgrams with higher frequency resolutions may improve the assessment of the efferent system function.     

Advantages of binaural hearing provided through bimodal stimulation via a cochlear implant and a conventional hearing aid: a 6-month comparative study

CONCLUSIONS: Our study data demonstrate the additional benefit derived from continued use of a contralateral hearing aid (HA) post-cochlear implantation for speech recognition ability in quiet and in noise. Postoperative bimodal stimulation is recommended for all subjects who show some speech recognition ability in the contralateral ear as it may offer binaural listening advantages in various listening situations encountered in everyday life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits derived from bimodal stimulation for experienced HA users implanted with a cochlear implant (CI) (score=20% in disyllabic test). The correlation between pre- and postoperative performance on speech perception measures was examined to determine additional criteria for recommending bimodal stimulation postoperatively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A within-subject repeated-measures design was used, with each subject acting as their own control. Assessments were carried out preoperatively in aided monaural and best-aided conditions and at 6 months postoperatively in CI-alone, contralateral HA-alone and bimodal listening conditions. Speech recognition using Spanish words and sentences materials was assessed at conversational level and for soft speech in quiet. Speech comprehension in noise was assessed using word materials at a signal:noise ratio of +10, for coincident speech in noise and for spatially separated speech in noise. Twelve adult native Spanish subjects with a severe-to-profound hearing impairment who were experienced with optimally fitted conventional amplification and who displayed suboptimal speech understanding preoperatively were enrolled in the study. Preoperatively, conventional amplification was worn by five subjects binaurally and by seven monaurally. RESULTS: Postoperatively, superior speech recognition ability in quiet and in noise for disyllabic words was achieved using bimodal stimulation in comparison to performance for either monaural aided condition. Mean improvement in speech recognition in the bimodal condition was significant over performance in the CI-alone condition for disyllabic words in quiet at 70 (p=0.006) and 55 dB SPL (p=0.028), for disyllabic words in noise at +10 dB with speech and noise spatially separated with the noise source closest to the contralateral HA (S0NHA) (p=0.0005) and when the noise source was closest to the CI ear (S0NCI) (p=0.002). When testing word recognition in noise with speech and noise sources coincident in space, word scores were superior in the bimodal condition relative to the CI-alone condition but this improvement was not significant (p=0.07). The advantages of bimodal stimulation included significant effects of binaural summation in quiet and significant binaural squelch effects in both the S0NHA and S0NCI test conditions. All subjects showed superior performance in the binaural situation postoperatively relative to the best-aided condition preoperatively for one or more test situations.     

Influence of contralateral stimulation by two-tone complexes,narrow-band and broad-band noise signals on the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission levels in humans

In order to test the frequency specificity of the efferent suppressive effect on otoacoustic emissions, changes in the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels induced by contralateral stimuli of different spectra were measured in 10 normally hearing adults. Three types of contralateral stimuli were used: (i) a set of 6 pairs of pure tones with the same frequencies as used for DPOAE stimulation; (ii) 6 narrow-band noise signals with cut-off frequencies equal to the frequencies of the primary tones used for DPOAE stimulation; and (iii) broad-band noise with a bandwidth of 840-6,000 Hz. A small suppressive effect was observed mainly in the mid-frequency region. Broad-band noise was more effective at suppressing DPOAEs than narrow-band noises and two-tone complexes. Occasionally, small enhancements in DPOAE amplitudes were observed. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that DPOAE changes induced by contralateral stimuli are not frequency-specific, and are too small to have routine clinical value.