CSD 6650 - Advanced Physiology of Hearing I

The first portion of the class is dedicated to the theory and quantitative aspects of signals and systems. For the remainder of the course, the anatomy and physiology of the peripheral auditory nervous system is reviewed, with emphasis on mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal auditory perception. Cochlear mechanics are covered in depth and are approached from a signals and system perspective. A framework based on active and passive processes is provided as a foundation for future lectures and courses on cochlear hearing loss, auditory perception, and electrophysiological measures of cochlear function. Gross electrical potentials and single unit potentials of neurons innervating the cochlea are discussed. Rate based and temporal based theories of neural coding are evaluated. Hearing disorders of the auditory periphery are discussed throughout the course with an emphasis on pathophysiology.