EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF THE COCHLEA WITH AND WITHOUT NERVE SUPPLY

Abstract : Mechanical models of the cochlea and the organ of Corti are described which use the skin of the arm and the hand as nerve supplies. The advantage of the grouping of the hair cells into inner and outer hair cells has been investigated, and it is shown that such a differentiation into groups of end organs with different sensitivities is useful in decreasing the effects of masking. Furthermore, the grouping makes it possible for the cochlea to produce a spatial discrimination not only for frequency but also to some degree for loudness. (Author)