Results from a Cochlear Model Utilizing Longitudinal Coupling

A one-dimensional computer simulation of the cat cochlea was developed utilizing a one-degree-of-freedom model of the cochlea partition, with the magnitude of the damping between the reticular lamina and the tectorial membrane dependent upon the envelope of basilar-membrane displacement integrated over a longitudinal region. Aspects of the model’s output mimic auditory-nerve fiber activity. The slopes of stimulus-response curves for single-tone stimuli decrease as frequency is increased above characteristic frequency. Appropriate two-tone suppression is observed when the suppressing tone’s frequency is either above or below that of an excitatory tone at characteristic frequency. Nonlinear longitudinal coupling in the cochlea is suggested.