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Yu YC, Wang TC, Shih TC. A comprehensive finite-element human ear model to estimate noise-induced hearing loss associated with occupational noise exposure. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 226:107179. [PMID: 36306646 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.107179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Noise is a common occupational and environmental hazard; however, little is known about the use of computational tools to quantitively analyze data on basilar membrane (BM) damage in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Here, we established a comprehensive three-dimensional finite-element human ear model to quantify the impact of noise exposure on BM and perilymph fluid. METHODS We used auditory risk units (ARUs) to evaluate the BM damage for subjects (3 men and 5 women; mean age, 32.75 ± 8.86 years; age range, 24-44 years). A 90-dB sound pressure level (SPL) was normally applied at the external auditory canal (EAC) entrance to simulate sound transmission from the EAC to the cochlea at frequencies of 0.2-10.0 kHz. RESULTS The pressure distribution of perilymph fluid is totally different on frequency responses under low and high sound-evoked (0.013-10.0 kHz). The highest ARUs were 18.479% at the distance of 1 mm from the base, and the second-highest to fourth-highest ARUs occurred at distances of 5-7 mm from the base, where their ARUs were 9.749%, 9.176%, and 11.231%. The total of the ARUs reached 81.956% at external frequencies' sounds of 3.2-5.0 kHz. Among these, the 3.8-kHz and 3.6-kHz frequencies yielded the highest and second-highest ARUs of 20.325% and 19.873%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study would inform our understanding of NIHL associated with occupational noise exposure. We present a FE modelling and describe how it might provide a unique way to unravel mechanisms that drive NIHL due to loud noises.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Cheng Yu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Tang-Chuan Wang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 302056, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ching Shih
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; The PhD Program for Medical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, College of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan.
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Yu YC, Wang TC, Shih TC. Effects of age-related tympanic-membrane material properties on sound transmission in the middle ear in a three-dimensional finite-element model. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 215:106619. [PMID: 35038652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Young's modulus of the tympanic membrane (TM) is an important modeling parameter in computer simulations of the sound transmission in the ear. Understanding the material mechanics of the TM is essential to improve the coupling between the tympanic membrane and the auditory ossicles. However, the impact of the age-related Young's modulus of the TM on sound transmission is not well known. The objective of this study was to use a comprehensive finite element (FE) model to assess the impact of Young's modulus on sound transmission from the ear canal to the stapes footplate over acoustic frequencies. METHODS The FE model of the ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear, was constructed. The model was constructed with identical geometries and boundary conditions, but with three different Young's moduli for the TMs. The auditory ossicles, suspensory ligaments and tendons, and manubrium were also modeled as isotropic elastic materials. Beside, we evaluated the age-related Young's moduli of the TMs on sound transmission with the FE element fluid-structural interaction (FSI) model under acoustic loading conditions. RESULTS The impact of the age-related Young's moduli on the sound pressure distributions in the ear canal was significant over two frequency ranges of 1.4-3.2 and 8.6-10 kHz. Meanwhile, the significant differences of the displacement of the stapes occurred at around 1.6 kHz, where the displacement of the stapes decreased from 0.352 nm to 0.287 nm. CONCLUSIONS The FSI model could demonstrate the influence of Young's modulus of the TM on the transfer of sound-induced vibrations form the ear canal to the stapes footplate. The FE model may provide appropriate information to the medical device development of artificial ossicles and hearing aids.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Cheng Yu
- The Ph.D. Program for Medical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, College of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Tang-Chuan Wang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 302056, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ching Shih
- The Ph.D. Program for Medical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, College of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung 406040, Taiwan.
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Ricci G, Gambacorta V, Lapenna R, della Volpe A, La Mantia I, Ralli M, Di Stadio A. The effect of female hormone in otosclerosis. A comparative study and speculation about their effect on the ossicular chain based on the clinical results. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 279:4831-4838. [PMID: 35187596 PMCID: PMC9474451 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07295-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed at identifying gender differences in the hearing thresholds in a sample of patients with otosclerosis before and after surgery to understand the impact of female hormones on auditory thresholds.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed 184 patients (123 women and 61 men) affected by otosclerosis. All the patients were affected by conductive hearing loss and treated by stapedoplasty. Auditory thresholds at the baseline (T0) and one month after surgery (T30) were collected. Air and bone thresholds and Air Bone Gap (ABG) were compared between females and males using one-way ANOVA.
Results
Statistically significant differences were observed comparing the air threshold at T0 vs T30 both in women and men (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant differences were observed in the bone conduction thresholds before and after surgery. The comparison between females and males showed statistically significant differences both at T0 (p < 0.01) and T30 (p < 0.05) for air conduction thresholds and ABG at 4000 Hz.
Conclusion
Although stapedoplasty reduced the difference between females and males in the air conduction thresholds and ABG, women showed better recovery of their middle ear function with better auditory thresholds and ABG. The female hormones might positively impact the ligaments of the incudostapedial joint improving chain flexibility. This benefit might explain the statistically significant difference observed in women at 4000 Hz before and after surgery.
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Calero D, Lobato L, Paul S, Cordioli JA. Analysis of the Human Middle Ear Dynamics Through Multibody Modeling. J Biomech Eng 2020; 142:071012. [PMID: 32191261 DOI: 10.1115/1.4046689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of the human middle ear (ME) has been studied in the past using several computational and experimental approaches in order to observe the effect on hearing of different conditions, such as conductive disease, corrective surgery, or implantation of a middle ear prosthesis. Multibody (MB) models combine the analysis of flexible structures with rigid body dynamics, involving fewer degrees-of-freedom (DOF) than finite element (FE) models, but a more detailed description than traditional 1D lumped parameter (LP) models. This study describes the reduction of a reference FE model of the human middle ear to a MB model and compares the results obtained considering different levels of model simplification. All models are compared by means of the frequency response of the stapes velocity versus sound pressure at the tympanic membrane (TM), as well as the system natural frequencies and mode shapes. It can be seen that the flexibility of the ossicles has a limited impact on the system frequency response function (FRF) and modes, and the stiffness of the tendons and ligaments only plays a role when above certain levels. On the other hand, the restriction of the stapes footplate movement to a piston-like behavior can considerably affect the vibrational modes, while constraints to the incudomalleolar joint (IMJ) and incudostapedial joint (ISJ) can have a strong impact on the system FRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Calero
- Acoustical and Vibration Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Lucas Lobato
- Acoustical and Vibration Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Stephan Paul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Acoustical and Vibration Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Júlio A Cordioli
- Acoustical and Vibration Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
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Zhang J, Tian J, Ta N, Rao Z. Finite element analysis of round-window stimulation of the cochlea in patients with stapedial otosclerosis. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:4122. [PMID: 31893738 DOI: 10.1121/1.5134770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An active actuator coupled to the round window (RW) can transmit mechanical vibrations into the cochlea and has become a therapeutic option of hearing rehabilitation for patients with stapedial otosclerosis. A finite-element model of the human ear that includes sound transmission effects of the vestibular and cochlear aqueducts of the inner ear is adopted in this study for investigating the cochlear response to RW stimulation under stapes fixation. There are two effects due to otosclerosis of the stapes: the fixation of the stapedial annular ligament (SAL) and the increase of the stapes mass. The frequency responses of the middle ear and cochlea with normal and otosclerotic stapes are calculated under sound and RW stimulations. The results show that changes in the material property of the stapes have different effects on the cochlear responses under sound and RW stimulations. Because of the vestibuli aqueduct, the reduction in the low-frequency magnitude of the pressure difference across the cochlear partition due to SAL fixation is much smaller under RW stimulation than under sound stimulation. The results of this study help understand sound transmission during RW stimulation in patients with stapedial otosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Institute of Vibration, Shock and Noise, State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiabin Tian
- Wuhan Second Ship Design and Research Institute, Wuhan 403205, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Ta
- Institute of Vibration, Shock and Noise, State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhushi Rao
- Institute of Vibration, Shock and Noise, State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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WU CAN, NI JING, YANG XIAO, LANG JIANRONG. RESEARCH ON THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE FREE VIBRATION MODEL BASED ON THIN PLATE THEORY. J MECH MED BIOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519417500798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Myringoplasty is one of the routine surgeries in the treatment of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation. Since the anatomic structure of the middle ear cannot be simulated in clinical treatment, the surgery is mainly directed by experiences. Based on the mechanical properties of TM in the anatomy, four hypotheses are presented and TM is simplified as a sectorial annulus plate with fixed boundary condition. This paper proposes a free vibration model of TM. Its natural frequencies of free vibration are obtained by variables separation method and Bessel function. The system of fundamental solutions of fourth-order homogeneous equations can be solved for the analytical expressions of corresponding natural vibration mode. The theoretical model is proved to be valid since the natural frequency of the model is consistent with the experimental data. The effect of geometric parameters and material parameters on TM natural frequency is subsequently discussed in the numerical examples. Especially, the diameter and thickness of TM will cause different natural frequency errors above 40%, while the Young’s modulus and density of TM cause errors below 15% as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- CAN WU
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, P. R. China
| | - JING NI
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, P. R. China
| | - XIAO YANG
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, P. R. China
| | - JIANRONG LANG
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, P. R. China
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Alper CM, Luntz M, Takahashi H, Ghadiali SN, Swarts JD, Teixeira MS, Csákányi Z, Yehudai N, Kania R, Poe DS. Panel 2: Anatomy (Eustachian Tube, Middle Ear, and Mastoid-Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pathogenesis). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017; 156:S22-S40. [PMID: 28372527 DOI: 10.1177/0194599816647959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective In this report, we review the recent literature (ie, past 4 years) to identify advances in our understanding of the middle ear-mastoid-eustachian tube system. We use this review to determine whether the short-term goals elaborated in the last report were achieved, and we propose updated goals to guide future otitis media research. Data Sources PubMed, Web of Science, Medline. Review Methods The panel topic was subdivided, and each contributor performed a literature search within the given time frame. The keywords searched included middle ear, eustachian tube, and mastoid for their intersection with anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pathology. Preliminary reports from each panel member were consolidated and discussed when the panel met on June 11, 2015. At that meeting, the progress was evaluated and new short-term goals proposed. Conclusions Progress was made on 13 of the 20 short-term goals proposed in 2011. Significant advances were made in the characterization of middle ear gas exchange pathways, modeling eustachian tube function, and preliminary testing of treatments for eustachian tube dysfunction. Implications for Practice In the future, imaging technologies should be developed to noninvasively assess middle ear/eustachian tube structure and physiology with respect to their role in otitis media pathogenesis. The new data derived from these structure/function experiments should be integrated into computational models that can then be used to develop specific hypotheses concerning otitis media pathogenesis and persistence. Finally, rigorous studies on medical or surgical treatments for eustachian tube dysfunction should be undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuneyt M Alper
- 1 Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,2 Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,3 Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michal Luntz
- 4 Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai Zion Medical Center; Technion-The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | - Haruo Takahashi
- 5 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Samir N Ghadiali
- 6 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,7 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - J Douglas Swarts
- 2 Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Miriam S Teixeira
- 2 Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zsuzsanna Csákányi
- 8 Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Heim Pal Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Noam Yehudai
- 4 Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai Zion Medical Center; Technion-The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | - Romain Kania
- 9 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lariboisière Hospital, Diderot University, University Paris Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - Dennis S Poe
- 10 Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,11 Department of Otolaryngology and Communications Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wu C, Chen Y, Al-Furjan MSH, Ni J, Yang X. Free vibration model and theoretical solution of the tympanic membrane. Comput Assist Surg (Abingdon) 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/24699322.2016.1240315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Can Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Business Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - M. S. H. Al-Furjan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Ni
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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