Method for computing motion in a two-dimensional cochlear model

Abstract

An effective technique was described for computing the steady-state motion in a 2-dimensional cochlear model. With the cochlear fluid assumed incompressible and inviscid, the problem reduced to solving Laplace''s equation for a region with a yielding boundary (corresponding to the basilar membrane). From an integral equation representation of this solution, a pair of 2nd-order differential equations was derived. The solution of these differential equations gave the velocity of the basilar membrane and hence other related quantities, e.g., displacement, pressure, driving-point impedance at the stapes. Higher-order approximations and extensions to nonlinear membranes were discussed.