Acoustic–structural coupled finite element analysis for sound transmission in human ear—Pressure distributions

Gan, Rong Z.; Sun, Qunli; Feng, Bin; Wood, Mark W.

doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2005.07.018

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Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 395-404, June 2006

Acoustic–structural coupled finite element analysis for sound transmission in human ear—Pressure distributions

Rong Z. Gan
- School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
- Hough Ear Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, USA
- Corresponding author. Present address: School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 865 Asp Avenue, Room 200, Norman, OK 73019, USA. Tel.: +1 405 325 1099; fax: +1 405 325 1088.
Qunli Sun
- School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
- Present address: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Bin Feng
- School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
Mark W. Wood
- Hough Ear Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, USA

Received 12 November 2004; received in revised form 4 May 2005; accepted 4 July 2005. published online 26 August 2005.

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of human ear with accurate structural geometry of the external ear canal, tympanic membrane (TM), ossicles, middle ear suspensory ligaments, and middle ear cavity has been recently reported by our group. In present study, this 3D FE model was modified to include acoustic–structural interfaces for coupled analysis from the ear canal through the TM to middle ear cavity. Pressure distributions in the canal and middle ear cavity at different frequencies were computed under input sound pressure applied at different locations in the canal. The spectral distributions of middle ear pressure at the oval window, round window, and medial site of the umbo were calculated and the results demonstrated that there was no significant difference of pressures between those locations at frequency below 3.5kHz. Finally, the influence of TM perforation on pressure distributions in the canal and middle ear cavity was investigated for perforations in the inferior–posterior and inferior sites of the TM in the FE model and human temporal bones. The results show that variation of middle ear pressure is related to the perforation type and location, and is sensitive to frequency.