From the outer ear to the nerve: A complete computer model of the

Computer models of the individual components of the peripheral auditory system - the outer, middle, and inner ears and the auditory nerve - have been developed in the past, with varying level of detail, breadth, and faithfulness of the underlying parameters. Building on previous work, we advance the modeling of the ear by presenting a complete, physiologically justified, bottom-up computer model based on up-to-date experimental data that integrates all of these parts together seamlessly. The detailed bottom-up design of the present model allows for the investigation of partial hearing mechanisms and their defects, including genetic, molecular, and microscopic factors. Also, thanks to the completeness of the model, one can study microscopic effects in the context of their implications on hearing as a whole, enabling the correlation with neural recordings and non-invasive psychoacoustic methods. Such a model is instrumental for advancing quantitative understanding of the mechanism of hearing, for investigating various forms of hearing impairment, as well as for devising next generation hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Automated summary

This study presents a complete and physiologically justified computer model of the ear, based on experimental data, that allows for in-depth investigation of hearing mechanisms and various hearing impairments. It also enables correlation with neural recordings and psychoacoustic methods. This model is crucial for advancing our understanding of hearing, studying hearing impairments, and developing hearing aids and cochlear implants.