title: Forward- and Reverse-Traveling Waves in DP Phenomenology: Does Inverted Direction of Wave Propagation Occur in Classical Models?
abstract: Recent basilar-membrane (BM) vibration experiments show that the phase slope of the distortion product (DP) in the cochlear region in which a backward-traveling wave is expected is negative, which is typical of a forward-traveling wave, according to the predictions of quasi-linear approximate solutions of classical 1-D transmission-line cochlear models. This phase behavior has been interpreted as suggesting a strong deviation from the "classical" models of the otoacoustic emission (OAE) generation and transmission. In this paper, the DP phase inversion phenomenon is approached from a conservative point of view. The DP phase is calculated in a classical cochlear model. The main conclusion is that deviations from the classical model are not necessary to account for the observed phase behavior.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Hygiene Department, INAIL.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sisto
authors.affiliation: Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Shera
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Roma Tor Vergata.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moleti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Insubria.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Botti
keywords: cochlea; distortion products; wave propagation