The evoked cochlear mechanical response in laboratory primates. A preliminary report.

The evoked cochlear mechanical response has been recorded in two species of laboratory primates, Macaca irus and Erythrocebus patas. The responses are very similar to those obtained in humans although the response to each click is of shorter duration. The response is vulnerable to the ototoxicity of furosemide and etacrynic acid and to noise exposure. At and near threshold an active generator of mechanical energy within the cochlea is proposed. The significance of such a generator and a possible source are discussed.