Time-domain responses from a nonlinear sandwich model of the cochlea

A linear multi-compartment (sandwich) model cochlear model can produce realistic basilar membrane (BM) frequency tuning measured experimentally at low input levels. To further test this model, a nonlinearity was included in the hair-cell force-generation mechanism. The model produces impulse responses that are similar to physiological data. The instantaneous frequency (IF) glides are similar to IFs found experimentally. The instantaneous phase (IP) angle of the reticular lamina (RL) relative to the BM, changes with time and input level because the IF glide of the RL differs from that of the BM. Input-output relationships at best frequency show small local minima when the RL and BM change over to being passive at high input levels.