Short Description

In the last decades, active cochlear models have gained more popularity. These models show better results in modeling the basilar membrane response than passive models. Different publications state that the outer hair cells (OHC) (located on the basilar membrane) can oscillate at defined frequencies. They enhance the oscillation of the basilar membrane and are influenced by the efferent nerve system, acting like a parametric amplifier.

To model these OHCs, a system with excellent frequency selectivity and high temporal resolution is needed. Hopf oscillators (mainly the General Hof oscillator) deliver the most promising results. Your task will be to build a simulation of the OHC with this General Hopf Oscillator. Further, you should implement psychoacoustic tests for auditory masking for this system and compare it to human measurements.

Your Tasks

• Get familiar with the Generale Hopf Oscillator
• Find Auditory Masking tests (forward masking, backward masking, frequency masking)
• Implement these tests in Matlab or Python for the General Hopf Oscillator
• Compare the results to measurement results from human listeners
• provide an extensive documentation of your work

Your Profile

• Motivation and interest in the topic
• Background in either Matlab, Python

Contact

Sebastian Handel (sebastian.handel@tugraz.at or 0316/873 4338) Martin Hagmüller (hagmueller@tugraz.at or 0316/873 4377)