Possibility of Acoustic Resonance in Hair Cells in Human's Auditory System.

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.