B. Mohl et al., Dolphin hearing: Relative sensitivity as a function of point of application of a contact sound source in the jaw and head region, J ACOUST SO, 105(6), 1999, pp. 3421-3424
The auditory input area of the dolphin head was investigated in an unrestra
ined animal trained to beach itself and to accept noninvasive electroenceph
alograph (EEG) electrodes for the recording of the auditory brain-stem resp
onse (ABR). The stimulus was a synthetic dolphin click, transmitted from a
piezo-electric transducer and coupled to the skin via a small volume of wat
er. The results conform with earlier experiments on acute preparations that
show best auditory sensitivity at the middle of the lower jaw. Minimum lat
ency was found at the rear of the lower jaw. A shaded receiver configuratio
n for the dolphin ear is proposed. (C) 1999 Acoustical Society of America.
[S0001-4966(99)05606-4].