Biophysics Of The Cochlea

This book contains the proceedings of an international hearing-research conference held in Germany 2002. The conference brought together experts in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, engineering, physics, mathematics, audiology and medicine to synthesize and extend our understanding of how the cochlea works. Topics are discussed experimentally and theoretically at the molecular, cellular and whole-organ levels. Some of the topics are: mechanosensitivity of motor proteins; mechanochemical transduction by motor proteins; mechanoelectrical transduction in the stereocilia of hair cells; electromechanical transduction in the stereocilia, soma and synapses of hair cells; multidimensional vibration of the organ of Corti; and otoacoustic emissions. This book will be invaluable to researchers and students in auditory science. The proceedings have been selected for coverage in: • Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings) Contents:StereociliaHair CellsWhole-Organ MechanicsCochlear ModelsEmissionsDiscussion Session Readership: Hearing scientists (including medical persons in otolaryngology), biophysicists and molecular biologists, engineers interested in manufacturing silicon devices (MEMS), and persons interested in modelling biological systems. Keywords:Audition;Hearing;Cochlea;Biophysics;Hearing Impairment;Motor Molecules;Ion Channels;Interferometry;Otoacoustic EmissionsReviews:“In addition to the scientific papers, this book includes the comments and discussions raised for each manuscript at the time of its oral presentation, and most importantly, a final chapter with the edited transcript of the recording of a discussion session about outstanding topics of cochlear biophysics held by some of the most prominent researchers in the field. The first hand information provided by these transcripts is precisely what makes this book particularly interesting … The quality of this carefully edited book is excellent.”Audiology & Neuro-Otology

This book extends our understanding of the mechanics and biophysics of hearing by bringing together the latest research on the topic by experts in cell and molecular biology, physiology, physics, engineering and mathematics. It contains the proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing that was held at Keele University in the United Kingdom at the end of July, 2008. Topics for discussion included theoretical and experimental research at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. Separate sections of the book deal with: the transmission of sound energy to and from the inner ear, and wave propagation within the inner ear; the enhancement of stimulus wave motion that occurs in the inner ear; new measurement techniques that will underpin future innovative studies; the micro-mechanics of the basilar and tectorial membranes and the organ of Corti; cochlear dynamics; sensory hair cells and electromechanical transduction; and sensory hair-bundles and mechano-electrical transduction. The book concludes with the transcript of an open discussion session between the participants of the workshop, highlighting areas of uncertainty and controversy in the field, and pointing the way to the solutions to be sought in future research. This book reviews and synthesizes current concepts and challenges in the biophysics of hearing, and will be an invaluable guide to researchers and students in all branches of auditory science.

The Auditory Periphery: Biophysics and Physiology is an attempt to provide comprehensive and detailed information regarding biophysics and physiology in terms of the peripheral auditory system. Eight detailed chapters are presented in the book where the first and last serve as introduction and summary. The introductory chapter provides background on the anatomy and functional organization of the auditory system. The second chapter illustrates the most common experimental techniques. A whole chapter is dedicated to the discussion of the middle ear, while Chapters 4 and 5 discuss cochlear mechanisms and potentials. The topic most studied but less understood in the operation of the ear is also emphasized in the book, which is the production of distortion. The topic of feedback mechanisms and systems is also covered. This book aims to be of help to various specialists such as biophysicists, bioengineers, physiologists, otolaryngologists, and speech and hearing scientists.

Proceedings of a workshop on the physics and biophysics of hearing that brought together experimenters and modelers working on all aspects of audition. Topics covered include: cochlear mechanical measurements, cochlear models, mechanicals and biophysics of hair cells, efferent control, and ultrastructure.

Knowledge about the structure and function of the inner ear is vital to an understanding of vertebrate hearing. This volume presents a detailed overview of the mammalian cochlea from its anatomy and physiology to its biophysics and biochemistry. The nine review chapters, written by internationally distinguished auditory researchers, provide a detailed and unified introduction to sound processing in the cochlea and the steps by which the ensuing signals are prepared for the central nervous system.

The field of cochlear mechanics has received an increasing interest over the last few decades. In the majority of these studies the researchers use linear systems analysis or linear approximations of the nonlinear (NL) systems. Even though it has been clear that the intact cochlea operates nonlinearly, lack of tools for proper nonlinear analysis, and widely available tools for linear analysis still lead to inefficient and possibly incorrect interpretation of the biophysics of the cochlea. An example is the presumption that a change in cochlear stiffness at hair cell level must account for the observed change in tuning (or frequency mapping) due to prestin application. Hypotheses like this need to be addressed in a tutorial that is lucid enough to analyze and explain basic differences. Cochlear Mechanics presents a useful and mathematically justified/justifiable approach in the main part of the text, an approach that will be elucidated with clear examples. The book will be useful to scientists in auditory neuroscience, as well as graduate students in biophysics/biomedical engineering.