Multiple scale analysis of the spirally coiled cochlea.

The method of multiple scales is applied to the analysis of a curved box model for the spirally coiled cochlea. The fluid motion is fully three-dimensional and the basilar membrane movement is represented by a single mode of deflection. Coiling parameters for the human cochlea are determined from the experimental data of von Békézy [Experiments in Hearing (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1960)]. The approximate solution is numerically calculated to yield comparisons with the uncoiled case. It is found that the coiling effects are long-wave in character and the results do not differ significantly from the corresponding straight bow model.