Overt and covert paths for sound in the auditory system of mammals
The consensus, according to which the transmission of sound from the tympanum to the Outer Hair Cells is solely mechanical, is problematic, especially with respect to high pitched sounds. We demonstrate that the collagenous fibers of the tympanum produce electric potentials synchronous to acoustic v...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
27-10-2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | The consensus, according to which the transmission of sound from the tympanum
to the Outer Hair Cells is solely mechanical, is problematic, especially with
respect to high pitched sounds. We demonstrate that the collagenous fibers of
the tympanum produce electric potentials synchronous to acoustic vibrations and
that, contrary to expectations, their amplitude increases as the frequency of
the vibration increases. These electrical potentials cannot be reduced to the
cochlear microphonic. Moreover, the alteration of collagen as well as that of
the gap junctions (electric synapses) necessary for the transmission of the
electric potentials to the complex formed by the Deiters Cells and Outer Hair
Cells, results in hypoacousis or deafness. The discovery of an electronic
pathway, complementary to air and bone conduction has the potential for
elucidating certain important as yet unexplained aspects of hearing with
respect to cochlear amplification, otoacoustic emissions, and hypoacusis
related to the deterioration of collagen or of gap-junctions. Thus, our
findings have important implications for both theory and practice. |
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| DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.1310.7182 |