Extending existing models of cochlear mechanics to emphasize physiological mechanisms that support innate perception of harmonic relations among pure tone frequencies

Abstract

Tonotopic mapping along the basilar membrane of the cochlear organ of Corti naturally supports a consistent relationship between the physical frequency of a tone and its perception of pitch. For example, higher frequencies tend to be mapped to higher pitch perceptions. Nevertheless, a precise perception of harmonic relations among pure tone frequencies apparently lacks a strong foundation on the tonotopic mapping mechanism alone. We are presenting a supplementary hypothesis based on temporal delays and cross-correlations between delayed signals in the cochlear fluids and the surrounding structures that provide a robust mechanism to establish innate perception of applicable harmonic relations among pure tone frequencies.