Mathematical modeling of the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear.
Motivated by recent experimental results, an explanation is sought for the asymmetry in the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear. A sequence of one-dimensional beam models is studied which take into account variations in the bending stiffness of the basilar membrane as well as the potential presence of structural hinges. The results suggest that the main cause of asymmetry is likely to be differences between the boundary conditions at the two extremes of the basilar membrane's width. This has fundamental implications for more detailed numerical simulations of the entire cochlea.
Homer
Martin
M
Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS7 8EX, United Kingdom. martin.homer@bristol.ac.uk
Champneys
Alan
A
Hunt
Giles
G
Cooper
Nigel
N
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002682:Chinchilla; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration