Cochlear excitation by the near-field component during stimulation through the partially occluded round window

Thomas D. Weddell, Yury M. Yarin, Markus Drexl, Ian J. Russell, Stephen J. Elliott, Andrei N. Lukashkin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNConference contribution with ISSN or ISBNpeer-review

Abstract

The round window membrane (RW) provides pressure relief when the cochlea is excited by sound. While normal function of the RW is important for effective stimulation of the cochlea through the conventional oval window route, the cochlea can be stimulated successfully in non-conventional ways (e.g. through bone conduction, through the RW, and through perforations in the cochlea's apical turn). We report measurements of cochlear function from Guinea pigs when the cochlea was stimulated at acoustic frequencies by movements of a miniature magnet which partially occluded the RW. Neural response latencies to acoustic and RW stimulation were similar and taken to indicate that both means of stimulation resulted in the generation of conventional travelling waves along the cochlear partition. It was concluded that the relatively high impedance of the ossicles, as seen from the cochlea, enabled the region of the RW not occluded by the magnet, to act as a pressure shunt during RW stimulation. We propose that travelling waves, similar to those due to acoustic far-field pressure changes, are driven by a jet-like, near-field component of a complex fluid-pressure field, which is generated by the magnetically vibrated RW.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMechanics of Hearing
Subtitle of host publicationProtein to Perception - Proceedings of the 12th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
Volume1703
ISBN (Electronic)9780735413504
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2016
Event12th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing: Protein to Perception - Cape Sounio, Greece
Duration: 23 Jun 201429 Jun 2014

Workshop

Workshop12th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing: Protein to Perception
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityCape Sounio
Period23/06/1429/06/14

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