Perceptual correlates of neural plasticity related to spontaneous otoacoustic emissions?

The inner ear contains receptor cells that oscillate spontaneously, generating waves that propagate backward in the cochlea, ultimately causing sound to be radiated into the ear canal--the spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs). Except in rare conditions, these internally generated signals appear to go unheard. The intensity of SOAEs admittedly hovers near the threshold of detection, but they are essentially continuous and perhaps last a lifetime. The hypothesis is tested that the frequency difference limen (DL(F)) is affected by SOAEs. The results show that the DL(F) systematically improves near SOAE frequencies, determined ipsi- or contralaterally to the SOAEs, arguing for a central effect. The results are discussed in the context of central plasticity.