Wave Motion

Marrocchio R., Karlos A. and Elliott S.

The cochlea converts sound to electrical signals and so it is important to understand its dynamics. The response of this system, which involves the interaction between the dynamics of the basilar membrane and the fluid coupling in the scalae, is derived in terms of a few nondimensional parameters. Notably, a phase-shift parameter, N, determines the nature of the response. The wave equation that describes the response of acoustic rainbow sensors has the same form of the cochlear wave equation. In this case the compressibility parameter is larger than in the cochlea, playing a more dominant role in determining the response.

---