Author(s)

A. Eiber & A. Kauf

Abstract

Dynamics of implants for the human middle ear A. Eiber, A. Kauf Institute B of Mechanics, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany 1 Introduction Within the overall hearing process the middle ear has an important func- tion: A sound wave conveyed by the external ear canal to the ear drum is transmitted to the oval window as mechanical vibration by the ossicu- lar chain. For the investigation of the dynamical behavior a mathematical representation with qualified models is necessary. From the mechanical point of view there are some important diseases in the middle ear: Loss, rupture or fixation of ligaments, loss of iucudo-malleal joint or incudo-stapedial joint, stiffening of incudo-stapedial joint (ankylo- sis), and fixation of the stapes (otosclerosis). The aims of this work are the generation of mechanical models with physical parameters like real masses, stiffness and dampings for describing normal, pathological and reconstructed ears, for the prediction of the effects o

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