Translating a Computational Model of the Human Auditory Periphery to Gerbil and Mouse for Comparative Auditory Research
Creators: name: Thienpont, Morgan
name: Deloche, Francois
name: Keshishzadeh, Sarineh
name: Kiselev, Danill
name: Bourien, Jérôme
name: Puel, Jean-Luc
name: Buran, Brad
name: Bramhall, Naomi
name: Verhulst, Sarah
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Comparative Cochlear Mechanics

description: Realistic computational models of the peripheral auditory system can assist researchers in better understanding how sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects sound coding. Here we adapted a one-dimensional human non-linear cochlear transmission-line model [Verhulst et al., Hearing Research, 360, 55-75 (2018)] to mouse and gerbil models, aiming to facilitate cross-species research on SNHL. We modified key model parameters such as cochlear length and height based on species-specific anatomical data. The characteristic frequency range and the sampling rate of each model were adjusted to correspond to the tonotopic map of each animal. The pole trajectories of the local basilar-membrane (BM) admittance were calibrated to reproduce realistic cochlear tuning and compressive behavior. The models were assessed by comparing BM and auditory-nerve (AN) output along with simulated distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) to recordings from mice and gerbils. The models closely mirrored the observed data trends in BM velocity compression and AN frequency tuning. The gerbil model required further adaptation to match hearing thresholds by changing inner hair cell drive from BM velocity to BM displacement at frequencies above 1 kHz. The developed models represent a new tool that can guide experimental research in mice and gerbils. Furthermore, extending the transmission- line model from humans to common laboratory animals allows for more thorough testing of the model, particularly in the case of SNHL, as more direct pathophysiological data is available for these species.
description: Realistic computational models of the peripheral auditory system can assist researchers in better understanding how sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects sound coding. Here we adapted a one-dimensional human non-linear cochlear transmission-line model [Verhulst et al., Hearing Research, 360, 55-75 (2018)] to mouse and gerbil models, aiming to facilitate cross-species research on SNHL. We modified key model parameters such as cochlear length and height based on species-specific anatomical data. The characteristic frequency range and the sampling rate of each model were adjusted to correspond to the tonotopic map of each animal. The pole trajectories of the local basilar-membrane (BM) admittance were calibrated to reproduce realistic cochlear tuning and compressive behavior. The models were assessed by comparing BM and auditory-nerve (AN) output along with simulated distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) to recordings from mice and gerbils. The models closely mirrored the observed data trends in BM velocity compression and AN frequency tuning. The gerbil model required further adaptation to match hearing thresholds by changing inner hair cell drive from BM velocity to BM displacement at frequencies above 1 kHz. The developed models represent a new tool that can guide experimental research in mice and gerbils. Furthermore, extending the transmission- line model from humans to common laboratory animals allows for more thorough testing of the model, particularly in the case of SNHL, as more direct pathophysiological data is available for these species.