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Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells
Published on: January 21, 2021
Possibility of Acoustic Resonance in Hair Cells in Human's Auditory System
Abstract:
Apart from Von Békésy's traveling wave theory, this paper introduces our new comprehension on auditory system based on acoustic resonance in hair cells. Focusing on a rootlet inductance L and a membrane capacitance C of the hair cell, a real-sized cell model is designed so as to form a series LC resonant circuit for the incident soundwaves. In simulation, acoustic resonance is observed successfully at 1120 Hz together with 148-times sound pressure enhancement inside the cell. This model is useful to explain OAE responses, frequency shifts of absolute pitch for aging, pure-tone tinnitus, and even apoptosis of outer hair cells by huge sound exposure.
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