This comprehensive introduction to the functions of the mammalian ear describes the major steps by which sound is transformed into nerve impulses. The author leads the reader along the pathway followed by the acoustic signal. He starts with the collection of sound by the outer ear, proceeds to its transfer by the middle ear, and finally analyzes its modification in the inner ear, where the sound waves are transformed into nerve impulses. The book concludes with descriptions of some common ear impairments and a brief survey of the treatments available for them. At each stage of the ear's sound processing, Professor Geisler discusses the basic mechanisms, covering current theories and illustrating the discussions with experimental data. Although he uses an extensive array of analogies and mathematical models, he considers only the basic theory and the outputs of the models, not their derivation or formal usage. Where appropriate, related mechanisms in the ears of other vertebrates are considered. From Sound to Synapse is written in lucid, accessible style that makes no assumptions about the scientific background of the reader apart from a basic familiarity with pulse generation by neurons. It will be of value to researchers and students in sensory physiology, neurophysiology, acoustics, bioengineering, psychoacoustics, and neuroscience. It will also benefit neurologists, audiologists, otolaryngologists, and other clinicians interested in a more detailed description of sound processing.

Table of Contents:
1: Introduction The Task of the Ear Two Overriding Characteristics of the Ears Transformations General Features of this Book Entre I. Mechanisms of the Ear 2: Sound Waves Propagation of Sound Waves Amplitudes Waveforms The Frequency-Pressure Range of Human Perception 3: The External Ear Acoustic Considerations Physical Mechanisms of Interaurnal Sound Differences Implications Regarding Performance of the Auditory System 4: The Middle Ear The Reptilian Middle Ear The Mammalian Middle Ear Middle-Ear Muscles Diagnostic Tests Involving the Middle Ear Recapitulation 5: Sound-Induced Vibrations within the Inner Ear Basic Anatomy Sound Propagation within the Inner Ear Mechanical Measurements Made in Dead Cochleas A Model of Cochlear-Partition Vibrations Mechanical Measurements Made in Living Cochleas Response Patterns to Complex Sounds A Look Ahead 6: Transfer of Sound-Induced Vibrations to Sensing Cells Functional Anatomy Basic Mechanical Motions Chemical And Electrical Milieu of the Organ of Corti II. Hair-Cell Functions 7: Transduction Processes in Hair Cells Ultra-Structural Anatomy Transduction of Ciliary Rotations into Cell Potentials Mechanisms of Hair-Cell Frequency Selectivity 8. Hair Cells of the Mammalian Cochlea Structural Anatomy Ion Flows through Plasma Membranes Basic Electrophysiology Transduction Potentials Motility of Outer Hair Cells (Reverse Transduction) 9: The Cochlear Amplifier Historical Background The Role of Outer Hair Cells I Cochlear-Partition A Cochlear Mode Another Possible Amplification Process Summary 10: Nonlinear Responses of the Cochlear Partition: Suppressions and Otoacoustic Emissions Review of Linear Systems Two-Tone Suppressions Otoacoustic Emissions Summary of Nonlinear Phenomena III. Neural Responses 11: Afferent Innervation Synaptic Transmission between Hair Cells and Afferent Neurons Neural Activity in the Absence of Deliberate Acoustic Stimulation 12: Responses of Primary Auditory Neurons to Single Tones General Pattern of Responses Properties of Discharge-Rate Responses Temporal Synchronization of Discharges to Stimulus 13: Responses of Primary Auditory Neurons to Other Basic Sounds Relationships between Time and Frequency Responses to Clicks Responses to Modulated Tones Responses to Pairs of Tones Coda 14: Responses of Primary Auditory Neurons to Speech Sounds Speech Acoustics Responses to Vowel Sounds Responses to Certain Voiceless Consonants A Class of Useful Models Responses to Consonant-Vowel Combinations (Syllables) Responses to Syllables in Noise Summary 15: Feedback from the Central Nervous System Anatomy Responses of Single Efferent Neurons Cochlear Responses to Efferent-System Activation Neurotransmitters of the Efferent Systems A Model of MOC Efferent Activity Functions of the Cochlear Efferent System The Roles of Efferents in Other Acoustico-Lateralis Systems Synopsis IV. Damage and Treatment 16: Damage to the Ear and Hearing Impairment Threats to the Sense of Hearing Defects in the External and Middle Ears (Conductive Hearing Losses) Defects in the Inner Ear (Sensory and Strial Losses) Defects of Primary Auditory Neurons (Neural Pathology) Tinnitus Summary 17: Treatments of Damaged Ears Introduction Procedures and Prostheses for Treating Middle-Ear Disorders Aids for Treating Inner-Ear Disorders Treatments of Tinnitus Repair and Regrowth of the Damaged Cochlea Curtain Appendix A: Fourier Theory: The Representation of Continuous Waveforms with Sinusoids Sinusoids (Sines and Cosines) The Usefulness of Sinusoids Harmonic Relationships Fourier Series The Fast Fourier Transform Aperiodic Signals Other Analysis Techniques Appendix B: Acoustic Resonances Appendix C: Impedance Responses to Linear (Time-Invariant) Systems Impedance Calculations Index Bibliography