Flow Phenomena in the Inner Ear

Abstract

A remarkable number of different flow phenomena contribute critically to the proper functioning of the hearing and balance senses, both of which are hosted by the inner ear. This includes quasi-steady and high-frequency Stokes flow, incompressible wave guides, unsteady boundary layers, and fluid–structure interactions between viscous fluids, soft membranes, and hair cell bundles. We present these phenomena, review recent results, and discuss how they relate to the physiology of the vestibular system and the mechanics of hearing. In addition, we study flow phenomena, including gravity-driven particulate flow, magnetohydrodynamics, buoyancy, and steady streaming, that are related to pathologies of the inner ear and relevant to diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.