Deriving human neural tuning curves from a mechanical model of the cochlea

Abstract

Human neural threshold tuning curves are derived using Allen’s [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 68, 1660–1670 (1980)] resonant tectorial membrane model of the cat cochlea by appropriately scaling the parameters. Because there is no measured neural threshold data available for the human to test the derived curves, a detection criterion, defined by a relationship among the bandwidth of the frequency tuning curves, expressed as an equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB), the width of the excitation patterns, expressed as an equivalent rectangular spread (ERS), and the psychophysical critical ratio, is explored and verified using cat data. The detection criterion can then be used to test the derived human curves using psychophysical data, and may also provide a deeper understanding of the frequency resolving properties of the cochlea.