Cochlear distribution of frequency-following response initiation. A high-pass masking noise study.

The cochlear initiation of the frequency-following response (FFR) to 500-Hz tone bursts was assessed in 6 normal-hearing subjects by measuring FFR amplitude as a function of the low-frequency cutoff of high-pass masking noise (3 550, 1 800, 900, and 450 Hz). The major fall off of FFR amplitude occurred when the masking noise began to mask the apical portion of the cochlea. This effect was especially apparent at low intensities. The results are interpreted as supporting the view that at low intensities, low-frequency tone bursts evoke the FFR primarily through the apical portion of the cochlea.