The role of the cochlear efferent system in acquired resistance to noise-induced hearing loss

Previous work has shown that the cochlear efferent system may play a role in protecting the ear from noise-induced temporary threshold shifts (TTS) following exposures to a single tone or a series of moderate-level noises ('toughening'). However, whether the olivocochlear bundle (OCB) is important in decreasing noise-induced permanent threshold shifts (PTS) remains an open question. The importance of the OCB in decreasing the ear's susceptibility to noise, as reflected by 2f₁-f₂ distortion product otoacoustic emissions, was assessed by sectioning both the ipsilateral and contralateral divisions of the efferent system and exposing chinchillas while awake to an octave band noise (4 kHz) at a low level (85 dB SPL) for 10 days (6 h/day) and then at a high level (95 dB SPL) for 48 h. Complete de-efferentation was verified by cochlear acetylcholinesterase staining. The ears that were de-efferented showed substantially more TTS, greater PTS and larger cochlear lesions of outer hair cells. The results suggest that the efferent system may influence the ear's ability to develop resistance to noise trauma.