Modeling sound transmission of human middle ear and its clinical applications using finite element analysis

Abstract

We have developed a new finite element (FE) model of human right ear, including the accurate geometry of middle ear ossicles, external ear canal, tympanic cavity, and mastoid cavity. The FE model would be suitable to study the dynamic behaviors of pathological middle ear conditions, including changes of stapedial ligament stiffness, tensor tympani ligament (TTL), and tympanic membrane (TM) stiffness and thickness. Increasing stiffness of stapedial ligament has substantial effect on stapes footplate movement, especially at low frequencies, but less effect on umbo movement. Softer TTL will result in increasing umbo and stapes footplate displacement, especially at low frequencies (f1500 Hz. As (TM) thickness was increased, the umbo displacement was reduced, especially at very low frequencies (f<600 Hz). Otherwise, the stapes displacement was reduced at all frequencies.

Keywords

• Finite element analysis
• Mastoid cavity
• Mathematical model
• Middle ear biomechanics