A numerical study on effects of auditory meatus structural lesions on sound transmission and its clinical values
YU Shen
WANG Jizhe
SUN Xiuzhen
LIU Yingxi
LI Shen
Abstract：Objective To report a study on effects of external acoustic meatus structural lesions on sound transmission and its potential clinical significance. Methods A three dimensional finite element model of human ear was constructed in-cluding the external acoustic meatus, middle ear and cochlea using CT scans from normal volunteers. The model was then modified to generate finite element models of external acoustic meatus structural lesions. Numerical simulation was conduct-ed to obtain functions of sound transmission through health external acoustic meatus and through external acoustic meatus with structural lesions. Results Sound pressure was amplified in a health external acoustic meatus and the amplification was reduced in a diseased external acoustic meatus, leading to decreased tympanic membrane and stapes footplate displace-ments. The degree of reduction was correlated to the degree of stenosis of the external acoustic meatus. Conclusions Struc-tural lesions of the external acoustic meatus can affect sound transmission and impair sound pressure augmentation. This study may provide a numerical assessment during preoperative evaluation for external acoustic meatus reconstruction and hearing restoration procedures.
Keywords：External acoustic meatusStructural lesionsBiomechanical modelNumerical simulation
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 349-352 )