Effects of Electric Stimulation of the Crossed Olivocochlear Bundle on Single Auditory-Nerve Fibers in the Cat

Abstract

The activity of single auditory-nerve fibers was examined with and without electric stimulation of the crossed olivocochlear bundle (COCB). In the presence of tones at the characteristic frequencies (CF) of the fibers, the effect of COCB stimulation is, in general, to reduce the spike-discharge rate. The time characteristics of the effect were studied for several parameters of the electric shocks, acoustic stimuli, and fiber characteristics. Some effects of COCB stimulation on “spontaneous” and acoustically generated activity are discussed with reference to cochlear mechanisms.