ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the model to demonstrate effects of hearing loss on neural responses to tones and speech, and to examine possible neural mechanisms underlying performance on perceptual tasks. It describes the development of this model for the cat ear, indicates its responses to tones and speech in normal and impaired hearing. The chapter examines its applicability to the study of neural coding mechanisms underlying perceptual performance. The model has been specifically constructed to allow simulation of various forms of sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. The model is based on descriptions of middle ear mechanics, spiral ganglion innervation density, active and passive cochlear mechanics, neural and mechanical input–output functions, rapid and short-term adaptation, neuron-to-neuron variation in response properties, and stochastic response behavior. The relatively complete state of knowledge about cochlear structure and function makes it possible to develop a computer-based model of the entire cochlea and auditory nerve.
