CSD 6655 - Advanced Physiology of Hearing II

This is the second course of a two-course sequence on the physiology of the auditory system. The first course covers the peripheral auditory system, including the outer, middle, and inner ears. This course covers the structure and function of the auditory nerve and central auditory nervous system for afferent and efferent pathways, and for normal and pathological states. Rate-based and temporal-based theories of neural coding are evaluated. Lemniscal (core) and non-lemniscal (belt) organizational schemes are described. “What” and “where” auditory pathways are illustrated. Structure and function of neurons within each auditory nucleus are discussed. Lectures on the physiology of the auditory system are supplemented with demonstrations and discussions on clinical measurements of human auditory physiology. These measurements include electrocochleography, the auditory brainstem response, the auditory steady-state response, and otoacoustic emissions. The relationship between normal/abnormal auditory perception and the underlying auditory physiology is summarized. Clinical correlates of abnormal auditory function will be highlighted to understand how course content relates to clinical decision making. Finally, this course includes lectures on embryology and tinnitus.