Modeling of the Human Middle Ear Using the Finite-Element Method

Abstract

This paper presents a three-dimensional finite-element model of a human middle ear, which includes the ossicular chain and reaction force from the inner ear. Physical constants such as eardrum Young's modulus and the reaction force from the inner ear and boundary condition of the eardrum are determined from a comparison between the frequency resposes of the eardrum volume displacement obtained from FEM analysis and those of the temporal bone experiments. Modal vibration patterns of the eardrum and the ossicular chain obtained from FEM analysis are in good agreement with the experimental results using holography and the stroboscope. © 1990, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.