A minimal physics-based model for musical perception

Some people, entirely untrained in music, can listen to a song and replicate it on a piano with unnerving accuracy. What enables some to hear music so much better than others? Long-standing research confirms that part of the answer is undoubtedly neurological and can be improved with training. However, are there structural, physical, or engineering attributes of the human hearing mechanism apparatus (i.e., the hair cells of the internal ear) that render one human innately superior to another in terms of propensity to listen to music? In this work, we investigate a physics-based model of the electromechanics of the hair cells in the inner ear to understand why a person might be physiologically better poised to distinguish musical sounds. A key feature of the model is that we avoid a black-box systems-type approach. All parameters are well-defined physical quantities, including membrane thickness, bending modulus, electromechanical properties, and geometrical features, among others. Using the two-tone interference problem as a proxy for musical perception, our model allows us to establish the basis for exploring the effect of external factors such as medicine or environment. As an example of the insights we obtain, we conclude that the reduction in bending modulus of the cell membranes (which for instance may be caused by the usage of a certain class of analgesic drugs) or an increase in the flexoelectricity of the hair cell membrane can interfere with the perception of two-tone excitation.

Automated summary

Research has found that some individuals without any musical training can accurately listen to a song and replicate it on a piano. While part of the reason lies in the neurological aspect, there may be structural, physical, or engineering attributes of the human hearing mechanism (such as the hair cells in the inner ear) that contribute to a person's innate ability to listen to music. By using a physics-based model of the electromechanics of hair cells, researchers aim to understand why certain individuals are more physiologically capable of distinguishing musical sounds. The model avoids a black-box approach, with all parameters being well-defined physical quantities.