FIG. 8.

Traveling wave in the endolymph at sound frequency f = 1 kHz, Young’s modulus E = 40 kPa, and perilymph velocity amplitude U _p = 2.6 mm/s, visualized by a snapshot of the axial endolymph velocity u _x (top half, r > 0) and the radial endolymph velocity u _r (bottom half, r < 0). The axial velocity profile resembles a Womersley flow profile, featuring thin boundary layers and a constant core flow. This wave pattern travels to the right (in positive x-direction) at constant wave speed c (Fig. 9) while losing amplitude. After a full period T = 1/f, the shown velocity field repeats itself (periodic steady state).