The combined correlated audiohistogram. Incorporation of the superior ventral cochlear nucleus.

The state of the spheroid cells of the superior ventral cochlear nucleus (SVCN) must be accounted for along with that of stria vascularis, hair cells, and spiral ganglion neurons in the development of the combined correlated audiohistogram in cases of sensorineural hearing loss. For the stated evaluation, transverse sections through SVCN are marked off into ventrodorsally progressive zones corresponding to the frequency levels of the audiometric chart, and the loss of spheroid cells in each level is estimated on a percentage basis. The resultant "best fit" of pattern of cell injury with audiometric curve suggests that the anatomic frequency scale of SVCN parallels the logarithmic frequency scale of the standard audiometric chart.