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Nonlinear Properties of the Peripheral Auditory System of Anurans

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Comparative Studies of Hearing in Vertebrates

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

The vertebrate ear is highly nonlinear. This is rather surprising since its vibrational amplitudes are so minute in response to normal sound pressures. Generally, one might expect a stable mechanical system to respond linearly when disturbed slightly from its resting state. Thus the nonlinear properties of the peripheral auditory system are of considerable interest inasmuch as they can provide valuable insight into the underlying transduction process in the ear. The two most prominent nonlinear properties are inter-modulation distortion and two-tone suppression. Their characteristics have been studied extensively in the mammalian auditory system by a number of investigators. To provide a comparative view, a series of electrophysiological experiments were conducted in order to determine the nonlinear behavior of the anuran’s peripheral auditory system. The results have interesting implications regarding the origin of nonlinearities, as well as the mechanical basis for frequency analysis, in the vertebrate inner ear in general. Before presenting these findings, several relevant studies of nonlinearities in the mammalian auditory system are summarized, followed by a brief review of the anatomy of the anuran’s ear.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Langmuir Laboratory, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Robert R. Capranica & Anne J. M. Moffat

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  1. Robert R. Capranica
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  2. Anne J. M. Moffat
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Georgetown University, 3900 Reservoir Road, N. W., 20007, Washington, D.C., USA

    Arthur N. Popper

  2. Department of Psychology and Parmly Hearing Institute, Loyola University of Chicago, 6525 North Sheridan Road, 60626, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Richard R. Fay

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Capranica, R.R., Moffat, A.J.M. (1980). Nonlinear Properties of the Peripheral Auditory System of Anurans. In: Popper, A.N., Fay, R.R. (eds) Comparative Studies of Hearing in Vertebrates. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8074-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8074-0_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-8076-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-8074-0

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