In order to make clear the mechanism of sound couduction of the ossicular system, the author investigated the alteration of the cochlear potentials after the partial adhesion at different points of the ossicular chain of many cats by the use of tissue adhesives (α-cyano-acrylate-monomer=Aron Alpha).
The following results were obtained:
(1) After adhesion of the manubrium of the malleus to the eardrum, there appeared the reduction in C. M. response even to 15-20dB in the range from 0.2 to 2kcps.
(2) Stiffness of incudo-malleolar joint resulted in no reduction in C. M. response. But adhesion of the incudo-malleolar joint to the epitympanum led to a loss of 10-20dB in the range from 0.2 to 1kcps.
(3) Adhesion of the incudo-stapedial joint improved the C. M. response up to 5dB in the range from 0.2 to 1kcps while there was no reduction in the higher frequency range.
(4) After stapedial fixation, a loss in the low to middle frequency range, was larger than high frequency range and the notchs were observed in 0.2 and 1kcps. It is persumed that the notch of 0.2kcps is largely due to the inner impedance while that of 1kcps indicates the resonant point of the stapes.
(5) Stiffness of the all ossicular chain by the partial adhesion at several different points showed that the resonant point of the all ossicular system is centered around 1kcps, and the loss of C. M. response is about 40dB in the low range, about 50dB in the middle range, and about 20dB in the higher frequency range.
View full abstract