Auditory mechanisms of bionic active noise reduction

YANG Shiming; YU Ning; JIANG Qingqing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2016.06.003

Abstract：Noise exposure can lead to hearing loss as well as dysfunction of the central nervous, cardiovascular, diges-tion and endocrine systems. Severe noise exposure may also result in mental disorders or even decreased fertility. Various kinds of noise have been identified and bring great challenge to hearing protection. The most effective method to prevent noise-induced damage is to control or eliminate the noise source. Active noise reduction against the sound source may help meet the needs of rapid social development and modernization. It is known that the sound received by auditory system is mag-nified by the active cochlear amplifier during its transmission for enhanced audition;on the other hand what has not been well noticed is the active noise suppression and reduction by the auditory system. Based on clinical experiences and existing research data, we propose that, through certain structures and mechanisms, the hearing organ can enhance reception and pro-cessing of sound signals by increasing signal/noise ratio through limiting noise entrance. For the first time, we put forward a theory that hearing organ is a perfect noise eliminator and present a description of mechanisms of bionic active noise reduc-tion. For example, while signals above the hearing threshold excite the hearing organ and start signal transmission, the mid-dle ear attenuates loud sound by active suppression. By biomechanical analysis of relevant sophisticated structures within the hearing system, it is possible to establish new active noise reduction methods. This innovative thinking may break the bottle-neck in noise protection and may have a revolutionary significance for prevention and treatment of hearing loss.