Frequency spacing of multiple spontaneous otoacoustic
emissions shows relation to critical bands: a large-scale cumulative study
Martin Braun
Hear Res 1997, Dec, 114:1-2, 197-203
Abstract
Multiple spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), recorded in one ear,
are not randomly spaced on the frequency scale. Extent and origin of spacing
order, however, are not clear. Therefore, the raw data of all human SOAE
surveys were pooled, and the intervals of all possible emission pairs
in each ear were in total outlined according to size on a distribution
diagram (n = 5245, for intervals up to 2/3 octave). Prevalence was increased
for intervals between the benchmarks of 1 and 2 critical bands (CB). This
CB-2CB range was further characterized by preference of intervals with
low-order frequency ratios like 5:4 or 6:5, whereas outside CB 2CB there
were no such effects. The results are discussed in the context of current
knowledge of the origin of critical bands. Experiments are proposed that
test the hypothesis of an influence of the olivocochlear efferents on
SOAE spacing.
NOM Home
|