ABSTRACT
In the 1960s and early 1970s, mouse auditory function was physiologically characterized by “nearfield” responses that were invasive. For example, exposure of the round window through the bulla, and the auditory nerve or inferior colliculus through the cranium were required to record summating and compound action potentials (SP and CAP, respectively) (e.g., Alford and Ruben, 1963; Mikaelian and Ruben, 1964; Willott and Henry, 1974). The development of hearing and usually hearing loss are progressive processes, and because no two ears are alike, longitudinal study of auditory function in the same ear is often preferred. With advances in computer averaging of signals and introduction of “far-field” recording techniques (Jewett, 1970), it became possible to nontraumatically monitor auditory function in mice (e.g., Henry and Haythorn, 1978; Henry and Lepkowski, 1978; Henry, 1979a). This development allowed examination of the same mouse over several testing sessions separated by days to months. Furthermore, the new techniques were less taxing on the animal subjects and less demanding in terms of experimental preparation and time.
