The effect of blast overpressure on the mechanical properties of the human tympanic membrane

The difficulty to estimate the mechanical properties of the tympanic membrane (TM) is a limitation to understand the sound transmission mechanism. In this paper, based on finite element calculations, the sensitivity of the human hearing system to these properties is evaluated. The parameters that define the bending stiffness properties of the membrane have been studied, specifically two key parameters: Young’s modulus of the tympanic membrane and the thickness of the eardrum. Additionally, it has been completed with the evaluation of the presence of an initial prestrain inside the TM. Modal analysis is used to study the qualitative characteristics of the TM comparing with vibration patterns obtained by holography. Higher-order modes are shown as a tool to identify these properties. The results show that different combinations of elastic properties and prestrain provide similar responses. The presence of prestrain at the membrane adds more uncertainty, and it is pointed out as a source for the lack of agreement of some previous TM elastic modulus estimations.

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Mechanical properties of human tympanic membrane in the quasi-static regime from in situ point indentation measurements

Hearing Research ◽

10.1016/j.heares.2012.05.001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 290 (1-2) ◽

pp. 45-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Jef Aernouts ◽

Johan R.M. Aerts ◽

Joris J.J. Dirckx

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Static Regime ◽

Human Tympanic Membrane

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Computer simulation of human tympanic membrane

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215100121176 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 106 (10) ◽

pp. 878-881 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Avinash Bhide

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Computer Simulation ◽

Surface Structure ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Structural Data ◽

Human Tympanic Membrane

AbstractBecause of the difficulties in studying the mechanical properties of the human tympanic membrane in situ, structural data from the cadaveric tympanic membrane samples is used for simulation of the surface structure of the tympanic membrane with the help of a computer. The hitherto poorly understood contour of the tympanic membrane is available for the development of a tympanic membrane and middle ear model.

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The effect of blast overpressure on the mechanical properties of a chinchilla tympanic membrane

Hearing Research ◽

10.1016/j.heares.2017.08.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 354 ◽

pp. 48-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Junfeng Liang ◽

Zachery A. Yokell ◽

Don U. Nakmaili ◽

Rong Z. Gan ◽

Hongbing Lu

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Blast Overpressure

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Imaging birefringent tissue in the human tympanic membrane by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

EPJ Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/epjconf/202023804008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 238 ◽

pp. 04008

Author(s):

Svea Steuer ◽

Jonas Golde ◽

Steffen Ossmann ◽

Lars Kirsten ◽

Joseph Morgenstern ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Connective Tissue ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Middle Ear Surgery ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

Ear Surgery ◽

Human Tympanic Membrane

Acousto-mechanical properties of the human tympanic membrane mainly depend on the connective tissue in its layered structure. Using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography, a depth-resolved imaging technique which provides additional tissue specific contrast, polarization changes of the birefringent layers in the human tympanic membrane were detected. By depicting estimated local retardances, distinguishing different tissue types was possible. This suggests the ability to image pathological alterations of the connective tissue with PSOCT, which extends the conventional diagnostic methods in middle ear surgery.

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