An Interpretation of the Sharp Tuning of the Basilar Membrane Mechanical Response

It has been shown (Khanna and Leonard, 1982) that sharply tuned basilar membrane (BM) responses are seen when the trauma produced in opening the cochlea is reduced to a minimum. In these animals, ear canal sound pressure levels (SPL) show a pressure minimum of 2 to 20 dB in the frequency region 10–30 kHz. The purpose of this paper is to show that the sharp BM tuning is independent of SPL minimums. An interpretation of the sharply tuned mechanical response is given. Its origin is in the sharply tuned mechanical response of the stereocilia bundles of the hair cells.

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