Suprathreshold Stochastic Resonance in Mechanoelectrical Transduction of Hair Cells

Haircell, the sound signal sensor in the auditory system, works in an environment full of noise. This noise has been demonstrated before to be a factor beneficial to the transfer of subthreshold weak signal. We further theoretically demonstrate that in suprathreshold signal situation, noise can still be a beneficial factor and enhance the haircell nonlinear transfer of suprathreshold signal. This reveals an additional constructive function of noise in hearing and provides theoretic foundation for relevant applications.