Digital Simulation Model of the Basilar Membrane

Abstract

A new model and digital simulation program for basilar membrane motion is presented with several improvements over previous models. The model attempts to account for both earlier data (e.g., those of von Békésy) and more recent data [e.g., those of Rhode, J. Acoust. Soc. Amer. (to be published)] relative to basilar membrane dynamics. The model consists of a mixed linear and nonlinear part and represents the basilar membrane as a lumped parameter system. The nonlinear scaling factor and time delays were omitted from Flanagan's original model. Travelling-wave envelopes or instantaneous positions may be displayed for any arbitrary signals input to the membrane. The new model also has sharper tuning for single membrane sections and an 8-φ phase lag range. Details of the digital computer programs will be given and a range of applications of the model suggested. [Work supported by the United States Public Health Service, under Grant MH-7809.]

Digital filtering and signal processing

“…This is the linear part of the initial basilar membrane model of Lovell, Carterette, and Nagel (1972).…”

On-line computing with the Hewlett-Packard 2116B moving-head disk operating system

“…Recently we have written simulation models of the basilar membrane (Lovell, Carterette, & Nagel, 1971), the auditory neurone, and the psychophysical observer (Nagel, 1970). The basilar membrane model allows us to display the time-varying displacement in response to such auditory inputs as sinusoids, square waves and impulses, noise, speech-indeed to any complex stimulus.…”