SIFEM project: Finite element modeling of the cochlea

The cochlea is a very interesting part of the body. There are several investigations of experiments on the real cochlea and mathematical models. The cochlea works on the basis of a vibrating system. SIFEM project focuses on the development the multi-scale modelling of the inner-ear with regard to the sensorineural hearing loss. In this study we focused on the finite element model of the cochlea. The first approximation is straight box model where both domain basilar membrane and surrounding fluid are modeled. Fluid-structure interaction problem was implemented. The basilar membrane was modeled as structural plate with 3D brick finite element and fluid domain around the basilar membrane was modeled as full 3D Navier-Stokes equations. ALE formulation was employed for fluid domain and mesh moving algorithm for motion of the membrane and fluid mesh. The results for different frequencies for 3D box and spiral model are presented. It can be observed that viscous fluid allow a sharper response of the membrane, because the viscous fluid would quickly damp out the vibratory motion.