Journal article
Age related changes to the dynamics of contralateral DPOAE suppression in human subjects
Journal of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Vol.43(1), pp.15-15
2014
DOI: 10.1186/1916-0216-43-15
PMCID: PMC4071338
PMID: 24934087
Abstract
Background
The two ears are linked with a neural pathway such that stimulation of one ear has a modulating effect on the contralateral cochlea. This is mediated by cochlear afferent neurons connecting with olivo-cochlear efferents. The monitoring of this pathway is easily achieved by measuring contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions, and there is some clinical value in the ability to assess the integrity of this pathway. An important step in an evaluation of clinical utility is to assess any age-related changes. Accordingly, in the present study we measure the dynamics of contralateral DPOAE suppression in a population of normal hearing subjects of different ages.
Methods
Using a real-time DPOAE recording method we assessed contralateral DPOAE suppression in 95 ears from 51 subjects (age range 2–52 years). DPOAE (2f1-f2; f2 = 4.4 kHz; f2/f1 = 1.22) input–output functions were measured. In response to contralateral broadband noise, dynamic aspects of DPOAE suppression were measured, specifically suppression onset latency and time constants.
Results
An age-related reduction in DPOAE amplitudes was observed. Both the detectability and the degree of contralateral DPOAE suppression were decreased in older age groups. We find an age-related increase in the latency of onset of DPOAE suppression to contralateral stimulation, but no significant change in suppression time-constants.
Conclusion
Olivo-cochlear function as revealed by contralateral suppression of DPOAEs shows some important age-related changes. In addition to reduced emissions (outer haircell suppression) we find an increased latency that may reflect deterioration in auditory brainstem function. Regarding clinical utility, it is possible that the changes observed may reflect an aspect of age-related hearing loss that has not been previously considered.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Age related changes to the dynamics of contralateral DPOAE suppression in human subjects
- Creators
- Ujimoto Konomi - Auditory Science Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, CanadaSohit Kanotra - Auditory Science Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, CanadaAdrian L James - Auditory Science Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, CanadaRobert V Harrison - Auditory Science Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Vol.43(1), pp.15-15
- DOI
- 10.1186/1916-0216-43-15
- PMID
- 24934087
- PMCID
- PMC4071338
- NLM abbreviation
- J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
- ISSN
- 1916-0208
- eISSN
- 1916-0216
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2014
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984006421302771
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