Thermal and Quantum Noise in the Inner Ear

General theories of thermal and quantum fluctuations are used to calculate the levels of noise in models of inner ear mechanics. In each case considered, the calculated levels of thermal noise are much too large to be consistent with the detection of sub-angstrom motions at the threshold of hearing. Quantum noise levels are comparable to these threshold signals, implying that the inner ear is not a classical system. Some implications of these results for theories of hearing are noted.

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