The influence of cochlear shape on low-frequency hearingThe influence of cochlear shape on low-frequency hearing Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-082008enThe conventional theory about the snail shell shape of the mammalian cochlea is that it evolved essentially and perhaps solely to conserve space inside the skull. Recently, a theory proposed that the spiral's graded curvature enhances the cochlea's mechanical response to low frequencies. This article provides a multispecies analysis of cochlear shape to test this theory and demonstrates that the ratio of the radii of curvature from the outermost and innermost turns of the cochlear spiral is a significant cochlear feature that correlates strongly with low-frequency hearing limits. The ratio, which is a measure of curvature gradient, is a reflection of the ability of cochlear curvature to focus acoustic energy at the outer wall of the cochlear canal as the wave propagates toward the apex of the cochlea.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences16105 6162–6166 Manoussaki, D. Chadwick , R. S. Ketten, D. R. Arruda, J. Dimitriadis, E. K. O'Malley, J. T. Fitting of hearing aids Hearing aids--Selection Selection of hearing aids hearing aids fitting fitting of hearing aids hearing aids selection selection of hearing aids