Individual differences in sound transmission characteristics of the middle ear and the construction of a database of the differences : FEM analysis

Abstract

The size and mobility of the middle ear are different between individuals, and the effects of these differences on the middle ear transfer function have not been clarified. In this study, using finite-element middle-ear models, the effects of individual differences in size and mechanical properties of the middle ear on its transmission characteristics were analyzed. The individual differences in size of the middle ear were found to affect the transfer function, and the effects of size of the tympanic membrane were more remarkable than those of the ossicles. The effects of Young's modulus of the ligaments and tendons on the transfer function were significantly large compared to that of the size. It was suggested that the differences of each part of the middle ear independently affects the transfer function.