AN ELECTRONIC ANALOG OF THE EAR,
Abstract
An elctrical analog of the human ear is described, which includes the external and middle ear, the cochlea, and part of the the neutral structure of the cochlea and the higher auditory centers of the central nervous system. The analog is devel oped on the basis of a one-to-one relation be tween physiological and ecal parameters. The electrical analog cochlea is realized as a 36-section, lumped-parameter, nonuniform trans mission line. The neural structure of the cochlea and auditory portions of the central nervous system are modeled functionally by means of 36 detecting and filtering amplifiers, termed loudness converters. The spatial array of the 36 loudness converter outputs is a neutral equivalent pattern of basilar membrane motion. A pattern theory of loudness detection and sound recognition is discussed. On the basis of this theory, the analog ear exhibits a threshold of hearing curve which is approximately the same as that for a human. The important mechanical variable is found to be the velocity of the basilar membrane. The neural volley effect is included. Studies indicate that sound recogni tion with the analog is similar to that for a human. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0411320
Entities
People
- E. Glaesser
- J.l. Stewart
- W.f. Caldwell