Negative membrane capacitance of outer hair cells: electromechanical coupling near resonance

Abstract

The ability of the mammalian ear in processing high frequency sounds, up to $\sim$100 kHz, is based on the capability of outer hair cells (OHCs) responding to stimulation at high frequencies. These cells show a unique motility in their cell body coupled with charge movement. With this motile element, voltage changes generated by stimuli at their hair bundles drives the cell body and that, in turn, amplifies the stimuli. In vitro experiments show that the movement of these charges significantly increases the membrane capacitance, limiting the motile activity by additionally attenuating voltage changes. It was found, however, that such an effect is due to the absence of mechanical load. In the presence of mechanical resonance, such as in vivo conditions, the movement of motile charges is expected to create negative capacitance near the resonance frequency. Therefore this motile mechanism is effective at high frequencies.