Compression, adaptation and efferent control in a revised outer hair cell functional model

Functioning of the model at low-level input signals is linear. Due to the non-linearity of the transfer characteristic of the mechanomotility circuit the high-level signals are compressed. For the adaptation and efferent control, however, the transfer characteristic with respect to the initial operating point should be asymmetrical (a > 0). The asymmetry relies on the deflection of the hair bundle from the axis of the OHC.