Modeling of Sound Transmission from Ear Canal to Cochlea

A 3-D finite element (FE) model of the human ear consisting of the external ear canal, middle ear, and cochlea is reported in this paper. The acoustic-structure-fluid coupled FE analysis was conducted on the model which included the air in the ear canal and middle ear cavity, the fluid in the cochlea, and the middle ear and cochlea structures (i.e., bones and soft tissues). The middle ear transfer function such as the movements of tympanic membrane, stapes footplate, and round window, the sound pressure gain across the middle ear, and the cochlear input impedance in response to sound stimulus applied in the ear canal were derived and compared with the published experimental measurements in human temporal bones. The frequency sensitivity of the basilar membrane motion and intracochlear pressure induced by sound pressure in the ear canal was predicted along the length of the basilar membrane from the basal turn to the apex. The satisfactory agreements between the model and experimental data in the literature indicate that the middle ear function was well simulated by the model and the simplified cochlea was able to correlate sound stimulus in the ear canal with vibration of the basilar membrane and pressure variation of the cochlear fluid. This study is the first step toward the development of a comprehensive FE model of the entire human ear for acoustic-mechanical analysis.     

计算机辅助设计和有限元分析法在耳模声学特性研究中的应用

目的探讨采用计算机辅助设计和有限元声固耦合计算方法分析耳模中导声管声学特性的可能性。方法通过螺旋断层数字扫描仪(computed tomography,CT)扫描并获取志愿者耳部数据,建立外耳模型,再布尔计算出耳模及导声管模型。应用Ansys软件和Aurical真耳分析仪分别计算和实测,输入90 d B声压,记录频率500~8000 Hz耳模导声管出口处压力值。结果有限元计算与实际测试耳模声学特性结果趋势相同;在导声管影响下耳模的共振频率在4000 Hz左右,最大增益约为24 d B,模拟计算结果较实际测试结果高6.8 d B。结论有限元分析方法可有效应用于耳模声学特性的研究。     

Computer assisted optimization of an electromagnetic transducer design for implantable hearing aids

A simple, contactless electromagnetic transducer design for implantable hearing aids is investigated. It consists of a coil and a permanent magnet, both of which are intended for implantation in the middle ear. The transducer is modeled and optimized using computer simulations, followed by experimental verification. It is shown that the proposed transducer design can, because of its size and geometry, allow implantation through the external auditory canal, and provide a sufficiently high acoustic output corresponding to approximately 120 dB sound pressure level. It can be optimized to be tolerant of radial displacements between coil and magnet of up to 1 mm.     

基于基底膜响应的圆窗激振性能评估偏差研究

目的 研究采用传统基底膜位移评价标准评估圆窗激振式人工中耳听力补偿性能的准确性,为圆窗激振式人工中耳的性能评估提供理论基础.方法 基于耳蜗几何结构的实验数据,建立耳蜗感声微观有限元模型,通过对比内听毛细胞、外听毛细胞、盖膜等部位位移响应的实验测量值,验证模型的可靠性.基于该模型,对比分析正向激振、圆窗激振下的基底膜位移...     

Acoustic-structural coupled finite element analysis for sound transmission in human ear--pressure distributions

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of human ear with accurate structural geometry of the external ear canal, tympanic membrane (TM), ossicles, middle ear suspensory ligaments, and middle ear cavity has been recently reported by our group. In present study, this 3D FE model was modified to include acoustic-structural interfaces for coupled analysis from the ear canal through the TM to middle ear cavity. Pressure distributions in the canal and middle ear cavity at different frequencies were computed under input sound pressure applied at different locations in the canal. The spectral distributions of middle ear pressure at the oval window, round window, and medial site of the umbo were calculated and the results demonstrated that there was no significant difference of pressures between those locations at frequency below 3.5 kHz. Finally, the influence of TM perforation on pressure distributions in the canal and middle ear cavity was investigated for perforations in the inferior-posterior and inferior sites of the TM in the FE model and human temporal bones. The results show that variation of middle ear pressure is related to the perforation type and location, and is sensitive to frequency.     

Group delay of acoustic emissions in the ear

It is commonly accepted that the cochlea emits sound by a backward traveling wave along the cochlear partition. This belief is mainly based on an observation that the group delay of the otoacoustic emission measured in the ear canal is twice as long as the forward delay. In this study, the otoacoustic emission was measured in the gerbil under anesthesia not only in the ear canal but also at the stapes, eliminating measurement errors arising from unknown external- and middle-ear delays. The emission group delay measured at the stapes was compared with the group delay of basilar membrane vibration at the putative emission-generation site, the forward delay. The results show that the total intracochlear delay of the emission is equal to or smaller than the forward delay. For emissions with an f2/f1 ratio <1.2, the data indicate that the reverse propagation of the emission from its generation site to the stapes is much faster than a forward traveling wave to the f2 location. In addition, that the round-trip delays are smaller than the forward delay implies a basal shift of the emission generation site, likely explained by the basal shift of primary-tone response peaks with increasing intensity. However, for emissions with an f1 < f2, the data cannot distinguish backward traveling waves from compression waves because of a very small f1 delay at the f2 site.     

外耳道静压对声音传递和耳蜗输入影响数值分析

为分析静压变化对中耳听骨链运动和耳蜗输入的影响,运用有限元模型研究外耳道静压导致的中耳声音传递功能和耳蜗激励输入改变。首先,根据相关实验测量数据并结合有限元分析,拟合了耳道静压力与中耳各构件有效弹性模量关系的经验公式;然后,通过材料参数的改变模拟压力造成的中耳结构刚度增加,分析耳道静压对中耳机动性的影响和不同耳道压力下镫骨底板位移、速度和耳蜗两窗压力差的变化。计算结果与相关的文献实验数据有较好的符合,说明所建立的计算模型在模拟静压条件下中耳传递功能方面的合理性。结果表明在低频范围(0～0.6 kHz)外耳道静压对两窗压力差的影响稍大于对镫骨位移的影响。     

典型中耳病变对圆窗激振听力补偿性能影响的数值分析

目的研究典型中耳病变对圆窗激振听力补偿效果的影响,为圆窗激振式人工中耳的优化设计提供参考。方法利用CT扫描和逆向成型技术建立包括中耳和耳蜗的有限元模型,并验证模型的可靠性。再基于该模型,通过改变相应组织的材料属性,分别模拟镫骨环韧带硬化、镫骨不正常发育和锤骨前韧带硬化3种典型中耳病变。通过对比相应的基底膜响应,分析这3种病变对圆窗激振听力补偿效果的影响。结果镫骨不正常发育主要在高频处降低圆窗激振的效果,镫骨环韧带硬化和锤骨前韧带硬化主要恶化圆窗激振低频段的响应。3种病变中,镫骨环韧带硬化对圆窗激振听力补偿效果影响较大,等效声压的减小量可高达17 d B。结论中耳病变恶化圆窗激振的听力补偿效果,且恶化量较大,故在设计圆窗激振式人工中耳时需要针对性地提高其作动器的输出量。     

A sensitive air pressure-measuring transducer for indirect middle ear muscle recording in humans.

In the past, the recording of middle ear muscle activity (MEMA) during sleep was accomplished with the use of the acoustic impedance bridge (AIB). However, two major concerns with this technique are: 1. augmentation of MEMA (and possible impairment of the auditory apparatus), as a consequence of the 85-95 dB probe tone, which is necessary for acoustic tympanometry; 2. the AIB recording method is susceptible to snoring artifact so that determination of true MEMA events is difficult. By utilizing a highly sensitive air-pressure measuring transducer (AMPT), we were able to record MEMA accurately without artifactual stimulation of this endogenously occurring REM sleep phasic activity. Possible damage to inner ear structures is precluded because no sound input is required with the AMPT.     

人耳鼓膜病变数值分析

目的研究鼓膜厚度和硬度对人耳传声的影响。方法利用CT获取志愿者耳部结构临床资料,使用Matlab软件提取相关结构的边界,将边界文件导入ANSYS建立人耳结构数值有限元模型。结果利用本文人耳数值模型,在外耳道口施加105dB声压,进行200～8000Hz频率范围的谐响应分析。以此研究在鼓膜病变情况下,鼓膜和镫骨底板位移幅值的变化规律。结论用数值方法解释了鼓膜病变对传声的影响,为鼓膜修补提供了力学参考。     

高压下中耳结构动力损伤研究

目的研究高压对中耳结构造成的损伤。方法基于CT扫描建立中耳结构有限元数值模型,对模型施加随时间变化的压力,分析鼓膜以及镫骨足板的应力、应变和位移变化。结果获得的计算结果与相关文献中的试验数据吻合,验证了所建中耳模型的准确性。高压会对中耳造成损伤,随着压力的增加,损伤加重;快速加压使得中耳损伤严重,对内耳的影响较小;慢速加压也能导致中耳损伤,但在中耳损伤前,内耳会损伤。结论高压容易导致人耳出现损伤,为避免听力受到影响,在加压过程中要控制好加压速率。     

Hyperbaric effects on sensorimotor reactivity studied with acoustic startle in the rat

In three experiments, startle responses to brief intense tone-bursts (30 msec, 110 dB, 6000 Hz) and single pulse (0.1 msec) stimulation of the cochlear nucleus and the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis are studied under high pressures of heliox (from 0 bar to 50 bars) in the rat. For each rat (N = 12), mean amplitude and latency changes in startle responses (nuchal electromyography and whole-body accelerometry) are compared at normobaric pressure and during compression, at a speed of 100 bar/H. The results indicate that high pressures decrease (50% of control size) tone evoked startle by acting on the peripheral auditory organ, probably through middle and/or inner ear barotrauma. The large increases in electrically-elicited startle (250% of control size) from the cochlear and reticular nuclei, under hyperbaric conditions, suggest that high pressures affect sensorimotor reactivity by excitatory action on synaptic transmission in the relays of the acoustic startle reflex arc at the lower brainstem and spinal levels. Startle latencies remain unaffected by the heliox high pressures studied here.     

Familial lateral semicircular canal malformation with external and middle ear abnormalities

We report a family with inner ear lateral semicircular canal (LSC) malformation and external and middle ear abnormalities. The family had no history of known syndromes or toxic exposures. Distinct phenotypic manifestations were found in three family members. A young girl exhibited bilateral LSC malformation with a right-sided preauricular tag, a mildly deformed auricle, a stenotic external auditory canal, and a constricted middle ear cavity. She had moderate conductive hearing loss in the right ear but normal hearing in the left ear. Her younger brother exhibited right-sided LSC malformation, microtia, external auditory canal atresia, a malformed middle ear cavity, and abnormal auditory ossicles. He had severe mixed hearing loss in his right ear. Their mother exhibited left-sided LSC malformation without external and middle ear abnormalities, and the hearing was normal in her left ear. None of the three cases had vestibular symptoms, and their results of balance tests were appropriate for the corresponding ages. In contrast, significantly decreased LSC function was revealed by caloric tests in an ear with LSC malformation. Previously, LSC malformation may have been underdiagnosed in patients presenting with external and middle ear abnormalities and their relatives, since this malformation is frequently associated with normal hearing and balance or conductive hearing loss only. To our knowledge, this condition has not been described previously. This condition supports a genetic basis for the combination of LSC malformation and external and middle ear abnormalities and may represent an autosomal dominant condition with variable expressivity.     

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of Human Ear for Sound Transmission

An accurate, comprehensive finite element model of the human ear can provide better understanding of sound transmission, and can be used for assessing the influence of diseases on hearing and the treatment of hearing loss. In this study, we proposed a three-dimensional finite element model of the human ear that included the external ear canal, tympanic membrane (eardrum), ossicular bones, middle ear suspensory ligaments/muscles, and middle ear cavity. This model was constructed based on a complete set of histological section images of a left ear temporal bone. The finite element (FE) model of the human ear was validated by comparing model-predicted ossicular movements at the stapes footplate and tympanic membrane with published experimental measurements on human temporal bones. The FE model was employed to predict the effects of eardrum thickness and stiffness, incudostapedial joint material, and cochlear load on acoustic-mechanical transmission through the human ossicular chain. The acoustic-structural coupled FE analysis between the ear canal air column and middle ear ossicles was also conducted and the results revealed that the peak responses of both tympanic membrane and stapes footplate occurred between 3000 and 4000 Hz.     

A Methodology for Detecting Field Potentials from the External Ear Canal: NEER and EVestG

An algorithm called the neural event extraction routine (NEER) and a method called Electrovestibulography (EVestG) for extracting field potentials (FPs) from artefact rich and noisy ear canal recordings is presented. Averaged FP waveforms can be used to aid detection of acoustic and or vestibular pathologies. FPs were recorded in the external ear canal proximal to the ear drum. These FPs were extracted using an algorithm called NEER. NEER utilises a modified complex Morlet wavelet analysis of phase change across multiple scales and a template matching (matched filter) methodology to detect FPs buried in noise and biological and environmental artefacts. Initial simulation with simulated FPs shows NEER detects FPs down to -30 dB SNR (power) but only 13-23% of those at SNR's <-6 dB. This was deemed applicable to longer duration recordings wherein averaging could be applied as many FPs are present. NEER was applied to detect both spontaneous and whole body tilt evoked FPs. By subtracting the averaged tilt FP response from the averaged spontaneous FP response it is believed this difference is more representative of the vestibular response. Significant difference (p < 0.05) between up and down whole body (supine and sitting) movements was achieved. Pathologic and physiologic evidence in support of a vestibular and acoustic origin is also presented.     

Central auditory pathways mediating the rat middle ear muscle reflexes

The middle ear muscle (MEM) reflexes function to protect the inner ear from intense acoustic stimuli and to reduce acoustic masking. Sound presented to the same side or to the opposite side activates the MEM reflex on both sides. The ascending limbs of these pathways must be the auditory nerve fibers originating in the cochlea and terminating in the cochlear nucleus, the first relay station for all ascending auditory information. The descending limbs project from the motoneurons in the brainstem to the MEMs on both sides, causing their contraction. Although the ascending and descending pathways are well described, the cochlear nucleus interneurons that mediate these reflex pathways have not been identified. In order to localize the MEM reflex interneurons, we developed a physiologically based reflex assay in the rat that can be used to determine the integrity of the reflex pathways after experimental manipulations. This assay monitored the change in tone levels and distortion product otoacoustic emissions within the ear canal in one ear during the presentation of a reflex-eliciting sound stimulus in the contralateral ear. Preliminary findings using surgical transection and focal lesioning of the auditory brainstem to interrupt the MEM reflexes suggest that MEM reflex interneurons are located in the ventral cochlear nucleus.     

耳朵传声的振动学原理

本研究旨在论证人耳传声系统的简明振动学原理。借助理论性研究方法对外耳、中耳和内耳的传声功能逐一进行论证,详细阐明外耳的共振作用,揭示中耳锤-砧骨刚体的传声原理。首次通俗阐明内耳基底膜的分频作用和基底膜上行波的成因,提出听觉的共振敏感性和阈值敏感性概念。本研究将声振动基础知识与研究获得的新知识相结合,构建了简明和系统的人耳传声的振动学原理。     

Evolutionary changes in the cochlea and labyrinth: Solving the problem of sound transmission to the balance organs of the inner ear

This review article examines the evolutionary adaptations in the vertebrate inner ear that allow selective activation of auditory or vestibular hair cells, although both are housed in the same bony capsule. The problem of separating acoustic stimuli from the vestibular end organs in the inner ear has recently reemerged with the recognition of clinical conditions such as superior canal dehiscence syndrome and enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome. In these syndromes, anatomical defects in the otic capsule alter the functional separation of auditory and vestibular stimuli and lead to pathological activation of vestibular reflexes in response to sound. This review demonstrates that while the pars superior of the labyrinth (utricle and semicircular canals) has remained fairly constant throughout evolution, the pars inferior (saccule and other otolith, macular, and auditory end organs) has seen considerable change as many adaptations were made for the development of auditory function. Among these were a relatively rigid membranous labyrinth wall, a variably rigid otic capsule, immersion of the membranous labyrinth in perilymph, a perilymphatic duct to channel acoustic pressure changes away from the vestibular organs, and different operating frequencies for vestibular versus auditory epithelia. Even in normal human ears, acoustic sensitivity of the labyrinth to loud clicks or tones is retained enough to be measured in a standard clinical test, the vestibular-evoked myogenic potential test.