Cochlear micromechanics--a physical model of transduction.

TLDR: This paper presents and analyzes the assumed mechanical model, and briefly discusses a possible specific physical realization for the nonlinearity of cochlea mechanics, based on dynamical variations in outer hair cell stereocilia stiffness.

Abstract: One of the basic questions which has persisted in the field of hearing theory is the still unresolved mechanical action of hair‐cell transduction The fundamental problem that has historically plagued researches is the discrepancy between mechanically measured tuning of basilar membrane motion and neurally measured tuning In this paper we show that the difference between these two measures appears to be accounted for by a specific, physically motivated, micromechanical model This model gives rise to a spectral zero which we identify as the ’’second‐filter’’ of cochlear transduction For high‐frequency fibers this zero resides at a fixed frequency ratio below CF (characteristic frequency) while for fibers having low‐frequency CF’s the zero appears to go to zero frequency faster than CF In this paper we first present and analyze the assumed mechanical model We then briefly discuss a possible specific physical realization for the nonlinearity of cochlea mechanics The nonlinear model is based on dynamica