Auditory frequency analysis as an active dissipative process

TL;DR

This paper models the mammalian cochlea as an active dissipative system, revealing how spatially varying viscous coupling produces key auditory features like sharp tuning and otoacoustic emissions, framing hearing as a nonequilibrium pattern formation.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal active beam model with a spatially varying viscous operator to explain auditory frequency analysis as an active dissipative process.

Findings

Reproduces sharp tuning and high gain in cochlear response

Demonstrates spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

Shows hearing as a nonequilibrium pattern-forming system

Abstract

An active dissipative process organizes auditory frequency analysis in the mammalian cochlea. A minimal active beam model reveals that a spatially varying viscous coupling operator, $\partial_{xx}\kappa\partial_{xx}$, generates dissipative forces with wave--like propagation. Local energy injection and spatial redistribution compete to govern the dynamics. This balance enables the quantitative reproduction of four key features: sharp tuning, high gain, compression, and spontaneous otoacoustic emissions. Hearing thereby belongs to a broad class of nonequilibrium pattern-forming systems.