Abstract
Detection at (pure-tone) auditory thresholds is shown to require the lossless delivery of travelling wave power to the single receptor cell of appropriate CF. Present theories of cochlear mechanics cannot acount for such “focusing”; signal power is instead dissipated over the effective width of the travelling wave. Resolution of this paradox is possible if outer hair cell stereocilia are active elements in a “cochlear antenna”: mechanically tuned stereocilia (Schweitzer and Bialek, November 1980 ASA meeting) will scatter the travelling wave, and may thus act to diffract and focus acoustic power. Focusing “gains” of 40–50 dB are realized. Principles derived from recent theories of broadband (radio) antenna performance may be expressed in cochlear design. Critical band phenomena and psychophysical integration times may have a simple interpretation in this context. Regulation of focusing is possible if efferents effect outer hair cell mechanical activity. Threshold microstructure will arise if diffracting elements are perturbed, or deviate from ideal position. Experimental tests of the hypothesis will be proposed.
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