Inertia in the Ear

Abstract The energy of the sound wave reaching the receptor via the Bekesy traveling wave theory was analyzed. In wave motion, the vibrations of a vibrating element that transmits sound waves and has mass are associated with the occurrence of the phenomenon of inertia. In the middle ear, such vibrations involve the middle ear ossicles that conduct sound waves to the oval window. According to Bekesy's theory, in the inner ear the vibrations of elements having mass concern the basilar membrane with the organ of Corti, the cochlear fluids and the tip-link apparatus. The calculations were performed by AI. In the following section, attention was drawn to the additional inertia generated by the mechanism of amplifying quiet sounds by 40-50 dB – according to the traveling wave theory.