Modeling of nonlinear and active cochlear mechanics and its volterra-series analysis

Abstract

The nonlinear and active motion equation and the corresponding state-space equations (continuous-time and discrete-time) of the cochlea are established, including not only the nonlinear and active basilar-membrane mechanical properties, but also the nonlinearity of the cochlear fluid motion. Based on the Volterra-series and nonlinear transfer-function theories, a new approach to analyze the nonlinear properties of the cochlea is proposed. An analytic solution in the frequency domain, which may be made arbitrarily close to the true one, can be obtained with this approach, which provides a new kind of theory and methodology for deeply investigating the mechanism of the cochlea.