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Abstract: The cochlear frequency-place map is believed to be an important determinant of the frequencies that a species can hear as well as the bandwidth of cochlear filters. Both features impact an animal's ability to detect biologically significant sounds in noise. The cochlear frequency-place map is created partially a stiffness gradient in the basilar membrane (BM) in which stiff regions respond best to high frequencies and more compliant regions respond best to low frequencies.BM mass doesn't play significant role infrequency -place map as it remains constant, Due to the position of BM in cochlea, the BM stiffness measurements are difficult. Both hemi cochlea and in-vivo preparations are carried out worldwide for BM stiffness measurements along longitudinal length and radial length. Both methods can be specific for different species and utmost care is exercised to maintain the integrity of the tissues under consideration.BM mechanical properties can change during its early developmental stage gets matured in adult and degrade again due to aging, exhibiting change infrequency -place map. Also BM exhibits longitudinal coupling which make complex energy transfers in cochlear duct during wave propagation.BM mechanical properties, its measurement techniques are presented in this paper. Alteration in BM mechanics by any factor may lead to hearing impairments
I. INTRODUCTION
Basilar membrane (BM) lies within the cochlea and its mechanical properties are dominating factors in generating the tonotopic frequency map. Worldwide attempts are made to study the mechanical properties of BM .in this paper we introduce various mechanical properties of BM and its measurement techniques. Our paper is arranged in following manner.
Section I: This section describes various attributes of BM, such as its position inside cochlea and its typical dimensions. It explains various zones of BM and presence of radial tension. It explains the function of BM, presence of hair cells, its mathematical model and tonotopic response.
Section II: This section explains the two techniques for BM stiffness measurement. Both hemicochlea and in-vivo techniques require special care to maintain the integrity of the tissues for practical readings. It also explains the difference between hemicochlea and in-vivo methods.
Section III: This section explains the role of BM stiffness in generation of frequency place map. It capture the overall dynamics of cochlea in an equation explaining
Section I: BM...