Abstract
Contributions of the ascending peripheral and central auditory pathways to age-related and noise-induced hearing deficits have been well-characterized, but we know comparatively little about how the descending projections from the brain to the cochlea contribute to hearing deficits. Studies have shown dynamic structural and neurochemical changes in the olivocochlear system associated with acoustic experience and age, indicating that olivocochlear efferents cannot be considered a static system when attempting to reveal effects on hearing. I will summarize our efforts to understand how these pathways are involved in hearing dysfunction measured using physiological, behavioral, and anatomical assays in mouse models. Our work suggests that loss of olivocochlear efferent neurons is most detrimental to hearing in aged and aged, noise-exposed auditory systems which are already working with reduced afferent input to the brain. Furthermore, noise-induced changes in the lateral olivocochlear efferents appear to compensate for diminished medial olivocochlear activity—an effect that may explain the variable behavioral outcomes in hearing in noise studies involving the medial olivocochlear reflex in humans and animal models.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.