Methods and reference data for middle ear transfer functions.

Human temporal bone specimens are used in experiments measuring the sound transfer of the middle ear, which is the standard method used in the development of active and passive middle ear implants. Statistical analyses of these experiments usually require that the TB samples are representative of the population of non-pathological middle ears. Specifically, this means that the specimens must be mechanically well-characterized.

Accessing the Stapedius Muscle Via Novel Surgical Retrofacial Approach: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study.

Hypothesis: Despite the complete embodiment of the stapedius muscle (SM) into the pyramidal eminence, it is possible to safely gain access to the SM belly via a retrofacial approach. This presents a novel approach to directly measure the electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold (eSRT).

Background: Objective fitting of maximum comfortable loudness levels for cochlear implant users can improve the benefit introduced by the device.

Quality in middle ear surgery - a critical position determination.

When evaluating the outcome of reconstructive middle ear surgery, it is insufficient to use only the achieved improvement of audiometric measurement results. Although, as functional parameters, they occupy a central position in the therapeutic assessment of the ear as a sensory organ, they must be supplemented by a number of modern quality control factors. Different perspectives for assessment of quality must be taken into account.

Sensor-actuator component for a Floating Mass Transducer-based fully implantable hearing aid.

We propose a novel system based on the Floating Mass Transducer (FMT) to be used as the active component of a fully implantable, Vibrant Soundbridge-like middle ear implant. The new system replaces the external microphone used in the currently available design with an implantable piezoelectric sensor that is inserted into the incudostapedial joint and picks up the vibrations transmitted to the long process of the incus. The FMT is coupled to the round window of the cochlea.

Static and dynamic forces in the incudostapedial joint gap.

Dynamic pressure at the tympanic membrane is transformed and subsequently transferred through the ossicular chain in the form of forces and moments. The forces are primarily transferred to the inner ear. They are transferred partly to the stapedial annular ligament which exhibits non-linear behavior and stiffens for larger static forces.