A Challenge to the Concept That the Auditory System Functions as a Frequency Analyzer,

Abstract

A hypothesis is presented of auditory function as a time domain analysis. The mechanical-hydrodynamic transform of the cochlea generates a spatial distribution of displacement amplitudes as a function of time. The signal is distributed spatially so that many primary cells see essentially the same portion of the signal. The low Q and poor spatial resolution of the cochlea are an advantage because they assure a large number of cells are exposed to essentially the same input. The mural transform encodes these displacement amplitudes in the form of pulse density modulation, which preserves the signal as a time function.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 23, 1971
Accession Number
AD0766433

Entities

People

  • Allan J. Goldstein
  • J. Ryland Mundie

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Analyzers
  • Displacement
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Analyzers
  • Spatial Distribution
  • Time Domain

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Neuroscience