Cochlear potentials in the study of cochlear physiology.

Cochlear potentials have been used for many years as probes of cochlear mechanics. Early studies of cochlear microphonics addressed the pattern of wave motion and linearity of the basilar membrane motion. Since the development of techniques to record from single receptor cells and sensory neurons, these potentials have also been used in studies of the mechanics. Although techniques exist for recording cochlear mechanical motion directly, cochlear potentials can be powerful supplements, since the methods used cause minimal damage to the cochlea and can be applied throughout the cochlear spiral. Unlike existing direct methods, cochlear potentials can be used to characterize the micromechanics of the organ of Corti.