Overt and covert paths for sound in the auditory system of mammals

Current scientific consensus holds that sound is transmitted, solely mechanically, from the tympanum to the cochlea via ossicles. But this theory does not explain the hearing extreme quality regarding high frequencies in mammals. So, we propose a bioelectronic pathway (the covert path) that is complementary to the overt path.. We demonstrate experimentally that the tympanum produces piezoelectric potentials isochronous to acoustic vibrations thanks to its collagen fibers and that their amplitude increases along with the frequency and level of the vibrations. This finding supports the existence of an electrical pathway, specialized in transmitting high-frequency sounds, that works in unison with the mechanical pathway. A bio-organic triode, similar to a field effect transistor, is the key mechanism of our hypothesized pathway. We present evidence that any deficiency along this pathway produces hearing impairment. By augmenting the classical theory of sound transmission, our discovery offers new perspectives for research into both normal and pathological audition and may contribute to an understanding of genetic and physiological problems of hearing. It is clear that this configuration and function is present in the other mammals ...当前科学界的主流共识认为，声音仅以机械方式经由听小骨（ossicles）从鼓膜（tympanum）传递至耳蜗（cochlea）。但该理论无法阐释哺乳动物对高频声音的极致听觉感知能力。为此，我们提出一条与显性通路（overt path）互补的生物电子通路（covert path，隐匿通路）。我们通过实验证实，鼓膜凭借其胶原纤维（collagen fibers）可产生与声波振动同步的压电电位（piezoelectric potentials），且该电位的振幅随振动频率与强度的升高而增大。这一发现证实了一条专门传递高频声音的电通路的存在，该通路可与机械通路协同工作。一种类似场效应晶体管（field effect transistor）的生物有机三极管，是我们所假设的这条通路的核心机制。我们提供的证据表明，该通路的任何功能缺损都会导致听力损伤。通过完善经典的声音传递理论，我们的发现为正常听觉与病理性听觉的研究提供了全新视角，或有助于理解听力相关的遗传与生理问题。显然，该结构与功能同样存在于其他哺乳动物体内……