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Related Concept Videos

The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
Sound Waves: Interference00:53

Sound Waves: Interference

Sound waves can be modeled either as longitudinal waves, wherein the molecules of the medium oscillate around an equilibrium position, or as pressure waves. When two identical waves from the same source superimpose on each other, the combination of two crests or two troughs results in amplitude reinforcement known as constructive interference. If two identical waves, that are initially in phase, become out of phase because of different path lengths, the combination of crests with troughs...
Interference: Path Lengths01:10

Interference: Path Lengths

Consider two sources of sound, that may or may not be in phase, emitting waves at a single frequency, and consider the frequencies to be the same.
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
Interference and Superposition of Waves01:07

Interference and Superposition of Waves

When two waves of the same nature occur in the same region simultaneously, they result in interference. Interference of waves implies that the net effect of the waves is the sum of the individual waves' effects. However, it does not imply that the individual waves affect the propagation of other waves.
Interference occurs in mechanical waves, such as sound waves, waves on a string, and surface water waves. Mechanical waves correspond to the physical displacement of particles. Hence,...
Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Imaging the Aging Cochlea with Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy
05:27

Imaging the Aging Cochlea with Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: September 28, 2022

Basilar-membrane interference patterns from multiple internal reflection of cochlear traveling waves.

Christopher A Shera1, Nigel P Cooper

  • 1Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. christopher.shera@gmail.com

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|April 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cochlear ripples are a mechanical interference pattern caused by internal reflections and otoacoustic emissions. This study confirms their link to stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions and slow-wave propagation in the cochlea.

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Published on: September 28, 2022

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
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Area of Science:

  • Auditory Neuroscience
  • Bioacoustics
  • Mechanics of Hearing

Background:

  • Basilar membrane (BM) mechanical transfer functions exhibit quasiperiodic ripples at low stimulus levels.
  • These ripples are observed in both amplitude and phase.
  • Previous models suggested internal reflections as a cause.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin of basilar membrane ripples.
  • To determine the relationship between BM ripples and stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs).
  • To test the role of fast- and slow-wave propagation in cochlear mechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of active cochlear models.
  • Measurement of BM ripples and SFOAEs in chinchilla ears.
  • Analysis of ripple spacing and response phase gradients.

Main Results:

  • BM ripples are a mechanical interference pattern caused by internal reflections.
  • SFOAEs reflect off the stapes, creating secondary forward waves that interfere with primary waves.
  • BM ripples strongly correlate with the acoustic interference pattern measured in ear-canal pressure.
  • SFOAE delays are consistent with slow-wave propagation, not fast waves.

Conclusions:

  • Cochlear ripples originate from the generation of SFOAEs and internal reflections.
  • The findings support a common origin for BM ripples and SFOAEs.
  • Cochlear mechanics involve slow-wave propagation for reverse energy transfer.