Abstract
One of the primary challenges that sensory systems face is extracting relevant information from background noise. In the auditory system, the ear receives efferent feedback, which may help it extract signals from noise. Here we directly test the hypothesis that efferent activity increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ear, using the relatively simple teleost ear. Tone-evoked saccular potentials were recorded before and after efferent stimulation, and the SNR of the responses was calculated. In quiet conditions, efferent stimulation suppressed saccular responses to a tone, reducing the SNR. However, when masking noise was added, efferent stimulation increased the SNR of the saccular responses within a range of stimulus combinations. These data demonstrate that auditory efferent feedback can increase SNR in conditions where a signal is masked by noise, thereby enhancing the encoding of signals in noise. Efferent feedback thus performs a fundamental signal processing function, helping the animal to hear sounds in difficult listening conditions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3562-3570 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Neurophysiology |
| Volume | 95 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2006 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Modulation of auditory signal-to-noise ratios by efferent stimulation. / Tomchik, Seth M.; Lu, Zhongmin.
In: Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol. 95, No. 6, 01.06.2006, p. 3562-3570.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulation of auditory signal-to-noise ratios by efferent stimulation
AU - Tomchik, Seth M.
AU - Lu, Zhongmin
PY - 2006/6/1
Y1 - 2006/6/1
N2 - One of the primary challenges that sensory systems face is extracting relevant information from background noise. In the auditory system, the ear receives efferent feedback, which may help it extract signals from noise. Here we directly test the hypothesis that efferent activity increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ear, using the relatively simple teleost ear. Tone-evoked saccular potentials were recorded before and after efferent stimulation, and the SNR of the responses was calculated. In quiet conditions, efferent stimulation suppressed saccular responses to a tone, reducing the SNR. However, when masking noise was added, efferent stimulation increased the SNR of the saccular responses within a range of stimulus combinations. These data demonstrate that auditory efferent feedback can increase SNR in conditions where a signal is masked by noise, thereby enhancing the encoding of signals in noise. Efferent feedback thus performs a fundamental signal processing function, helping the animal to hear sounds in difficult listening conditions.
AB - One of the primary challenges that sensory systems face is extracting relevant information from background noise. In the auditory system, the ear receives efferent feedback, which may help it extract signals from noise. Here we directly test the hypothesis that efferent activity increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ear, using the relatively simple teleost ear. Tone-evoked saccular potentials were recorded before and after efferent stimulation, and the SNR of the responses was calculated. In quiet conditions, efferent stimulation suppressed saccular responses to a tone, reducing the SNR. However, when masking noise was added, efferent stimulation increased the SNR of the saccular responses within a range of stimulus combinations. These data demonstrate that auditory efferent feedback can increase SNR in conditions where a signal is masked by noise, thereby enhancing the encoding of signals in noise. Efferent feedback thus performs a fundamental signal processing function, helping the animal to hear sounds in difficult listening conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33744941559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33744941559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1152/jn.00063.2006
DO - 10.1152/jn.00063.2006
M3 - Article
C2 - 16554519
AN - SCOPUS:33744941559
VL - 95
SP - 3562
EP - 3570
JO - Journal of Neurophysiology
JF - Journal of Neurophysiology
SN - 0022-3077
IS - 6
ER -