| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N63635/01 |
| Title: |
THEORY OF ACTIVE AMPLIFICATION IN HEARING |
| Principal Investigator: |
Duke, Professor T |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 June 2000 |
Ends: |
31 August 2000 |
Value (£): |
7,292
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Condensed Matter Physics |
Development (Biosciences) |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Healthcare |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The process of active amplification, by which the ear heightens its sensitivity to faint sounds, is under intense investigation. We have recently advanced the concept of self -tuned criticality , in which signal reception is enhanced by a force-generating nonlinear dynamical system that is maintained at the threshold of an oscillatory instability. The idea provides a unifying explanation of a wide range of experimental data and explains how the ear can detect sounds beneath the noise level. One aim of this research project is to understand the physical basis of the dynamical system in mammalian vertebrates. It is widely believed that the electromotile outer hair cells are responsible for amplification. We plan to formulate a statistical-mechanical model to determine whether outer hair cells could generate spontaneous oscillations at high frequency. We shall also investigate how tuning to the threshold of instability might be achieved. The concept of self tuned criticality suggests that information on frequency and volume must be coded for in a fairly complex way. A second aim of the project is to investigate the individual contributions to the coding of the location of the hair cell, the interval between nervous spikes and the firing rate. We hope that this research might help to improve the performance of the cochlear implants and hearing aids.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |