Using of finite element method for modeling of active cochlea

Abstract

Human hearing system in general, and particularly the cochlea, is very interesting for investigation. The most important reason for it is hearing loss - a health problem that affects a large part of the world's human population. The highest percentage of people with hearing problems are older people, but the problem also occurs in newborns. Experimental research in this area provides some information about the level of hearing loss. Therefore, it is very useful to have a numerical model of the hearing system that can significantly contribute to the understanding of the origin of the mentioned health problem. Two numerical models are developed to investigate hearing problems: passive 3D cochlea model and 2D cochlea cross-section model. Those models are weakly coupled in order to make an active cochlea model [1].