Abstract

Info

Title:: Biomechanical study on effect of outer pillar cells softening on sound sensing of organ of Corti

Author(s):: MA Wenkai1; XU Xu1; YAO Wenjuan2; 1. School of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China 2. Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai 200444, China

Keywords:: Keywords: organ of Corti outer pillar cells softening biomechanics three-dimensional numerical simulation

Abstract:: Abstract: The sound sensing process of organ of Corti is easily affected by changes in internal structural properties. Loss of vasodilation-stimulated phosphoprotein in the outer pillar cells slows the formation of actin filaments, resulting in hearing delay. In the study, COMSOL is used to establish a three-dimensional finite element model to investigate the changes in the mechanical behaviors of the basilar membrane and the junction between outer hair cells and Deiters cells during the sound sensing process of organ of Corti under the condition of outer pillar cells softening caused by the absence of actin. The result shows that the softening of outer pillar cells weakens the magnification of the active power of outer hair cells on the displacement gain of the basilar membrane, but the weakening doesnt occur immediately, which means the organ of Corti has a "buffer" stage to maintain normal functions. There may be a critical value of sound pressure level between 100 dB and 120 dB. In two sides of this critical value, the effects of the softening of outer pillar cells on the stress of the basilar membrane are completely opposite. In addition, the softening of outer pillar cells has different effects on the mechanical behavior of different junctions between outer hair cells and Deiters cells, and the priority of displacement gain changes accordingly.