The importance of the hook region of the cochlea for bone-conduction hearing.

摘要: Abstract For the most part, coiled shape of cochlea has been shown to have only minor importance for air-conducted hearing. It is hypothesized, however, that this may play a more significant role bone-conducted (BC) route hearing, through inertial forces exerted by middle ear and cochlear fluid, can be tested comparing results applying BC stimuli in variety different directions. A three-dimensional finite element model human coupled inner was formulated. excitations were simulated rigid-body vibrations normal surface basilar membrane (BM) at 0.8 ( d 1 ), 5.8 2 15.6 3 33.1 4 ) mm from base cochlea, such relative motions fluid within produced BM. The vibrational direction BM highest velocity response across all frequencies—higher than an excitation nonbasal locations –d even when stimulus frequency matched best each location. basal part features well-developed hook region, colocated with vestibule, largest difference volume between scala vestibuli (SV) tympani (ST) found cochlea. proximity region oval round windows, combined it having biggest fluid-volume SV ST, thought result maximization pressure ST consequently resulting velocity.