The short-wave model and waves in two directions

In the region where a sinusoidal wave in the cochlea reaches its maximum am plitude, the long-wave (or one-dimensional) model of the cochlea is deficie nt. In this region a short-wave model is more appropriate. However, in its current form, the short-wave model supports only waves in one direction. Th erefore, it cannot cope with reflection effects associated with, e.g., inho mogeneities. Theoretical explorations of creation and internal reflection o f otoacoustic emissions have almost exclusively been based on the long-wave model. In this article the road is paved for future explorations on a gene ralized form of the short-wave model, one that supports forward as well as backward waves, and thus can include internal reflections. (C) 2001 Acousti cal Society of America. [DOI: 10.1121/1.1329623].