SUPPRESSION OF OTOACOUSTIC EMISSION IS UNCHANGED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF CONTRALATERAL ACOUSTIC STIMULATION

The influence of variable durations of contralateral acoustic stimulat ion on the suppression of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions was inves tigated in order to determine whether olivocochlear efferent fibers ar e equally effective whatever the acoustical stimulation duration or if they show fatigue. The suppression effect was measured for contralate ral stimulus durations ranging from 10 to 180 s prior to the onset of otoacoustic emission recording, and continuing throughout the recordin g time (60 s). No significant stimulus duration effect was found.