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ABR and DPOAE

Simultaneous Auditory Stimulation and Recording

Overview

TDT’s ABR and DPOAE acquisition system for small mammals is designed for rapid phenotyping, drug screening, and pre-clinical studies. From our 30 years of scientific and engineering experience, TDT has developed a turnkey solution for your auditory research. Our all-in-one system features the RZ6 hardware and BioSigRZ software for streamlined ABRs and DPOAEs.

The RZ6 is an embedded solution for data acquisition and sound production. Its operating system provides real-time control of simple and complex sounds, sound normalization intensities across all frequencies, and the incoming signal for immediate viewing and analysis. High quality analog inputs and outputs on the RZ6 combine a large dynamic range and excellent signal-to-noise for controlling speakers and microphones.

Combined with the BioSigRZ software, the RZ6 is a complete system for running your ABR and DPOAE experiments.

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Published research: ABR/DPOAE

The newest papers in ABR/DPOAE that used TDT systems.

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Scientific Reports · 2026

Virus induced cochlear inflammation alters stria vascularis function and auditory development

Matthew D. Smith, Keiko Hirose, William J. Britt

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common viral infection acquired in utero and a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In previous studies utilizing a murine model of SNHL that follows congenital CMV infection (cCMV), virus-induced cochlear inflammation has been shown to result in SNHL that develops in the absence of histopathology in the sensory neuroepithelium but is associated with the dysregulation of a number of deafness related genes (DRG). In this study, virus-induced cochlear inflammation was shown to dysregulate the expression of multiple DRG that have been shown to contribute to ion and metabolite transport within stria vacularis (SV). In addition, cochlear inflammation in virus-infected mice resulted in the loss of barrier functions of the SV that have also been linked to SNHL. Decreased expression of these DRG in infected animals was associated with SNHL that was similar to that observed in genetically engineered murine models with deletion of these DRG. Together, these results argue that virus-induced inflammation can lead to dysregulation of host genes associated with barrier and ion transport function of the SV, thus providing further insight into potential mechanisms of SNHL that follow virus infections during early auditory development.

Read the paper → (Virus induced cochlear inflammation alters stria vascularis function and auditory development, opens in a new tab)
Free Radical Biology and Medicine · 2026

Sphingolipid Metabolic Dysregulation Drives Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity Through Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Intrinsic Apoptosis

Gao X, Zhao Z, Wang Y, … Ni Y

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its clinical application is limited by irreversible sensorineural hearing loss. Sphingolipid metabolism is increasingly implicated in sensory hair cell (HC) survival, yet its role in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains unclear. Here, we investigated the involvement of sphingolipid dysregulation in cisplatin ototoxicity and evaluated the otoprotective effects and mechanisms of fingolimod (FTY720), an FDA-approved sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator. Multiple S1P pathway modulators protected cochlear HCs from cisplatin-induced injury in vitro, supporting the involvement of S1P signaling. FTY720 preserved auditory function and reduced HC, ribbon synapse, and spiral ganglion neuron loss in acute and chronic mouse models of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Multi-omics and molecular analyses revealed that FTY720 restored cisplatin-induced sphingolipid metabolic dysregulation and activated PI3K/AKT signaling. FTY720 consequently alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptosis. Importantly, FTY720 did not attenuate cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity or suppress its antiproliferative effects in cancer cells, as confirmed by viability, Calcein AM/propidium iodide (PI) double staining, and Ki67 analysis. Collectively, these findings reveal a sphingolipid metabolism-PI3K/AKT-mitochondrial apoptosis axis in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and support FTY720 as a potential otoprotective strategy without compromising cisplatin-mediated tumor cell killing.

Read the paper → (Sphingolipid Metabolic Dysregulation Drives Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity Through Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Intrinsic Apoptosis, opens in a new tab)
Chinese Medical Journal · 2026

A novel animal model of Meniere’s disease established by postauricular injection of inflammatory soup

Zhao R, Yang S, Zhao H, … Yu L

Background Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has long been considered the primary pathological feature of Meniere's disease (MD). Consequently, most existing animal models of MD are EH models, yet they cannot fully reflect all the pathological features of MD. Moreover, the causal relationship between EH and MD remains controversial. The objective of this study is to develop an animal model of MD that accurately reflects the clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of the disease. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks received daily injections of inflammatory soup (IS) at the middle of the right postauricular groove for 5 consecutive weeks. EH was assessed weekly using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Changes in auditory function were evaluated using auditory brainstem response testing and immunofluorescence staining. Vestibular function was assessed using the open-field test, balance beam test, vestibulo-ocular reflex, and immunofluorescence staining. Results Morphological findings revealed EH in cochlear sections 2 weeks after IS injection. The auditory brainstem response results showed significantly higher thresholds by week 2 after IS injection. The I-wave amplitude decreased as early as week 1 after injection. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated reduced inner hair cell synaptic ribbon counts and decreased spiral ganglion cell density. Immediately after each IS injection, the mice exhibited circling behavior and transient agitation, lasting approximately 10 seconds. Decreased locomotor activity was observed in the open-field test at 1, 2, and 5 weeks after IS injection. Vestibular testing showed prolonged balance beam-crossing time at 2 and 5 weeks and reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex gain at 1, 2, and 5 weeks after IS injection. Morphological findings also revealed decreased stereocilia bundle density in the utricle and cristae of the semicircular canals. Conclusions This study established an animal model exhibiting several key features of MD, including EH, hearing loss, and vestibular dysfunction. This model may provide a useful experimental tool for investigating the pathogenesis of MD and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.

Read the paper → (A novel animal model of Meniere’s disease established by postauricular injection of inflammatory soup, opens in a new tab)

An Easily Configured Auditory System

Simplified ABRs

ABRs could not be easier to setup and acquire. With the RZ6, the only cables are from the device to the speakers, from the animal to the Medusa4z amplifier and from the amplifier to the recording rig.

Simplified connections minimize the potential of mis-wiring, as well as signal loss from damaged cables. The amplifier makes electrode connection a breeze, and the onboard impedance measurement ensures proper signal connection.

For more information, please see the ABR User Guide and remember that TDT is always here to assist with system setup and debugging.

Improved Amplifier for ABRs

The Medusa4Z is an all-in-one amplifier designed to simplify connections to the RZ6 hardware and electrodes.

The Medusa4Z has a large input voltage with a nanoVolt resolution and can record signals from sub microVolt ABRs to milliVolt EMGs.

An Easily Configured Auditory System

Simplified DPOAEs

To record DPOAEs, the two analog outputs on the RZ6 are utilized to drive two speakers simultaneously. A microphone is then connected to an analog input to record the subject’s response.

In addition to DPOAEs, the analog inputs connected to the integrated microphone amplifier also provide the perfect solution for speaker calibration and Ultrasonic Vocalization studies.

For more information, please see the DPOAE User Guide and remember that TDT is always here to assist with system setup and debugging.

Streamlined Software

BioSigRZ for ABRs & DPOAEs

The BioSigRZ software was designed for the RZ6. With a maximum sample rate of 200 kHz, the software can handle most ABR or DPOAE projects.

BioSigRZ integrates stimulus design and control, speaker calibration, and ABR/DPOAE acquisition all into one user interface. With this simple interface, you can control all components of the stimulus, from intensity and frequency to interstimulus intervals.

Projects take minutes to setup, and once complete, the system is ready for use by anyone in the lab.

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Webinar

Introduction to ABRs

This presentation provides an overview of Auditory Brain Responses (ABRs) and demonstrates TDT’s turnkey ABR hardware and software.

TDT explains how our ABR system leads to easy and robust ABR recordings for high throughput hearing research. Learn best practices for acquiring ABRs and the key things to consider when using TDT’s ABR system.

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