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Lauxmann M, Viehl F, Priwitzer B, Sackmann B. Preliminary results of classifying otosclerosis and disarticulation using a convolutional neural network trained with simulated wideband acoustic immittance data. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32733. [PMID: 38975150 PMCID: PMC11226844 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Current noninvasive methods of clinical practice often do not identify the causes of conductive hearing loss due to pathologic changes in the middle ear with sufficient certainty. Wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) measurement is noninvasive, inexpensive and objective. It is very sensitive to pathologic changes in the middle ear and therefore promising for diagnosis. However, evaluation of the data is difficult because of large interindividual variations. Machine learning methods like Convolutional neural networks (CNN) which might be able to deal with this overlaying pattern require a large amount of labeled measurement data for training and validation. This is difficult to provide given the low prevalence of many middle-ear pathologies. Therefore, this study proposes an approach in which the WAI training data of the CNN are simulated with a finite-element ear model and the Monte-Carlo method. With this approach, virtual populations of normal, otosclerotic, and disarticulated ears were generated, consistent with the averaged data of measured populations and well representing the qualitative characteristics of individuals. The CNN trained with the virtual data achieved for otosclerosis an AUC of 91.1 %, a sensitivity of 85.7 %, and a specificity of 85.2 %. For disarticulation, an AUC of 99.5 %, sensitivity of 100 %, and specificity of 93.1 % was achieved. Furthermore, it was estimated that specificity could potentially be increased to about 99 % in both pathological cases if stapes reflex threshold measurements were used to confirm the diagnosis. Thus, the procedures' performance is comparable to classifiers from other studies trained with real measurement data, and therefore the procedure offers great potential for the diagnosis of rare pathologies or early-stages pathologies. The clinical potential of these preliminary results remains to be evaluated on more measurement data and additional pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lauxmann
- Doctor of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstr. 150, 72762, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Felix Viehl
- Master of Science, Reutlingen Research Institute, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstr. 150, 72762, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Priwitzer
- Doctor of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstr. 150, 72762, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Sackmann
- Master of Science, Reutlingen Research Institute, Reutlingen University, Alteburgstr. 150, 72762, Reutlingen, Germany
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Nørgaard KM, Motallebzadeh H, Puria S. The influence of tympanic-membrane orientation on acoustic ear-canal quantities: A finite-element analysis. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 155:2769-2785. [PMID: 38662609 PMCID: PMC11052631 DOI: 10.1121/10.0025768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Assuming plane waves, ear-canal acoustic quantities, collectively known as wideband acoustic immittance (WAI), are frequently used in research and in the clinic to assess the conductive status of the middle ear. Secondary applications include compensating for the ear-canal acoustics when delivering stimuli to the ear and measuring otoacoustic emissions. However, the ear canal is inherently non-uniform and terminated at an oblique angle by the conical-shaped tympanic membrane (TM), thus potentially confounding the ability of WAI quantities in characterizing the middle-ear status. This paper studies the isolated possible confounding effects of TM orientation and shape on characterizing the middle ear using WAI in human ears. That is, the non-uniform geometry of the ear canal is not considered except for that resulting from the TM orientation and shape. This is achieved using finite-element models of uniform ear canals terminated by both lumped-element and finite-element middle-ear models. In addition, the effects on stimulation and reverse-transmission quantities are investigated, including the physical significance of quantities seeking to approximate the sound pressure at the TM. The results show a relatively small effect of the TM orientation on WAI quantities, except for a distinct delay above 10 kHz, further affecting some stimulation and reverse-transmission quantities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kren Monrad Nørgaard
- Interacoustics Research Unit, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Interacoustics A/S, 5500 Middelfart, Denmark
| | - Hamid Motallebzadeh
- Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, California State University, Sacramento, California 95819, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Sunil Puria
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Graduate Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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Marcé-Nogué J, Liu J. Finite element modelling of sound transmission in the Weberian apparatus of zebrafish ( Danio rerio). J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20230553. [PMID: 38196376 PMCID: PMC10777150 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish, an essential vertebrate model, has greatly expanded our understanding of hearing. However, one area that remains unexplored is the biomechanics of the Weberian apparatus, crucial for sound conduction and perception. Using micro-computed tomography (μCT) bioimaging, we created three-dimensional finite element models of the zebrafish Weberian ossicles. These models ranged from the exact size to scaled isometric versions with constrained geometry (1 to 10 mm in ossicular chain length). Harmonic finite element analysis of all 11 models revealed that the resonance frequency of the zebrafish's Weberian ossicular chain is approximately 900 Hz, matching their optimal hearing range. Interestingly, resonance frequency negatively correlated with size, while the ratio of peak displacement and difference of resonance frequency between tripus and scaphium remained constant. This suggests the transmission efficiency of the ossicular chain and the homogeneity of resonance frequency at both ends of the chain are not size-dependent. We conclude that the Weberian apparatus's resonance frequency can explain zebrafish's best hearing frequency, and their biomechanical characteristics are not influenced by isometric ontogeny. As the first biomechanical modelling of atympanic ear and among the few non-human ear modelling, this study provides a methodological framework for further investigations into hearing mechanisms and the hearing evolution of vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Marcé-Nogué
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Tarragona, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- University of California Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Trottenberg G, Funnell WRJ, Motallebzadeh H. Newborn Hearing Screening in Québec, Canada. Am J Audiol 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37988681 DOI: 10.1044/2023_aja-23-00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study discusses the history and current state of the newborn hearing screening program in Québec and aims to assess general challenges associated with establishing universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programs. METHOD We reviewed the statistics of the occurrence and long-term effects of congenital hearing loss and the immediate and long-term benefits of UNHS and its limitations. The resources for this study included financial reports related to establishing UNHS in different health care systems; Canadian provincial, territorial, and federal regulations and publications; local and nationwide media; and interviews health care staff and program managers. RESULTS Because of its benefits and its cost-effectiveness, UNHS programs have been implemented in many health care systems around the world. Despite Canada's success in offering a wide array of health care services to its citizens, certain provinces trail behind others in developing UNHS programs. Although there have been recent improvements in the screening rate of the province of Québec, nearly half of all Québec newborns continue to not be screened for hearing loss. The reasons for the current low screening rate include delays in implementation, information-technology complications, operating costs, and lack of public awareness. CONCLUSIONS For UNHS to be implemented in a timely fashion, those involved in the process should first understand what challenges may arise. Québec's experience with this process may provide useful lessons for other health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Trottenberg
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - W Robert J Funnell
- Department of BioMedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hamid Motallebzadeh
- Department of BioMedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, California State University, Sacramento
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Altoè A, Charaziak KK. Intracochlear overdrive: Characterizing nonlinear wave amplification in the mouse apex. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:3414-3428. [PMID: 38015028 PMCID: PMC10686682 DOI: 10.1121/10.0022446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we explore nonlinear cochlear amplification by analyzing basilar membrane (BM) motion in the mouse apex. Through in vivo, postmortem, and mechanical suppression recordings, we estimate how the cochlear amplifier nonlinearly shapes the wavenumber of the BM traveling wave, specifically within a frequency range where the short-wave approximation holds. Our findings demonstrate that a straightforward mathematical model, depicting the cochlear amplifier as a wavenumber modifier with strength diminishing monotonically as BM displacement increases, effectively accounts for the various experimental observations. This empirically derived model is subsequently incorporated into a physics-based "overturned" framework of cochlear amplification [see Altoè, Dewey, Charaziak, Oghalai, and Shera (2022), J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 152, 2227-2239] and tested against additional experimental data. Our results demonstrate that the relationships established within the short-wave region remain valid over a much broader frequency range. Furthermore, the model, now exclusively calibrated to BM data, predicts the behavior of the opposing side of the cochlear partition, aligning well with recent experimental observations. The success in reproducing key features of the experimental data and the mathematical simplicity of the resulting model provide strong support for the "overturned" theory of cochlear amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Altoè
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, USA
| | - Karolina K Charaziak
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, USA
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Shera CA, Altoè A. Otoacoustic emissions reveal the micromechanical role of organ-of-Corti cytoarchitecture in cochlear amplification. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305921120. [PMID: 37796989 PMCID: PMC10576130 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305921120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate, crystalline cytoarchitecture of the mammalian organ of Corti presumably plays an important role in cochlear amplification. As currently understood, the oblique, Y-shaped arrangement of the outer hair cells (OHCs) and phalangeal processes of the Deiters cells serves to create differential "push-pull" forces that drive the motion of the basilar membrane via the spatial feedforward and/or feedbackward of OHC forces. In concert with the cochlear traveling wave, the longitudinal separation between OHC sensing and forcing creates phase shifts that yield a form of negative damping, amplifying waves as they propagate. Unlike active forces that arise and act locally, push-pull forces are inherently directional-whereas forward-traveling waves are boosted, reverse-traveling waves are squelched. Despite their attractions, models based on push-pull amplification must contend with otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), whose existence implies that amplified energy escapes from the inner ear via mechanisms involving reverse traveling waves. We analyze hybrid local/push-pull models to determine the constraints that reflection-source OAEs place on the directionality of cochlear wave propagation. By implementing a special force-mixing control knob, we vary the mix of local and push-pull forces while leaving the forward-traveling wave unchanged. Consistency with stimulus-frequency OAEs requires that the active forces underlying cochlear wave amplification be primarily local in character, contradicting the prevailing view. By requiring that the oblique cytoarchitecture produce predominantly local forces, we reinterpret the functional role of the Y-shaped geometry, proposing that it serves not as a push-pull amplifier, but as a mechanical funnel that spatially integrates local OHC forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Shera
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
| | - Alessandro Altoè
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
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Human middle-ear muscle pulls change tympanic-membrane shape and low-frequency middle-ear transmission magnitudes and delays. Hear Res 2023; 430:108721. [PMID: 36821982 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
The three-bone flexible ossicular chain in mammals may allow independent alterations of middle-ear (ME) sound transmission via its two attached muscles, for both acoustic and non-acoustic stimuli. The tensor tympani (TT) muscle, which has its insertion on the malleus neck, is thought to increase tension of the tympanic membrane (TM). The stapedius (St) muscle, which has its insertion on the stapes posterior crus, is known to stiffen the stapes annular ligament. We produced ME changes in human cadaveric temporal bones by statically pulling on the TT and St muscles. The 3D static TM shape and sound-induced umbo motions from 20 Hz to 10 kHz were measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT); stapes motion was measured using laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDV). TT pulls made the TM shape more conical and moved the umbo medially, while St pulls moved the umbo laterally. In response to sound below about 1 kHz, stapes-velocity magnitudes generally decreased by about 10 dB due to TT pulls and 5 dB due to St pulls. In the 250 to 500 Hz region, the group delay calculated from stapes-velocity phase showed a decrease in transmission delay of about 150 µs by TT pulls and 60 µs by St pulls. Our interpretation of these results is that ME-muscle activity may provide a way of mechanically changing interaural time- and level-difference cues. These effects could help the brain align head-centered auditory and ocular-centered visual representations of the environment.
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