scholarly journals Experimental Analysis of the Mechanism of Hearing under Water

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Chordekar ◽  
Liat Kishon-Rabin ◽  
Leonid Kriksunov ◽  
Cahtia Adelman ◽  
Haim Sohmer
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Sound Source ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Human Skull ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Human Hearing ◽  
Underwater Hearing ◽  
Head Neck ◽  
Air Conduction

The mechanism of human hearing under water is debated. Some suggest it is by air conduction (AC), others by bone conduction (BC), and others by a combination of AC and BC. A clinical bone vibrator applied to soft tissue sites on the head, neck, and thorax also elicits hearing by a mechanism called soft tissue conduction (STC) or nonosseous BC. The present study was designed to test whether underwater hearing at low intensities is by AC or by osseous BC based on bone vibrations or by nonosseous BC (STC). Thresholds of normal hearing participants to bone vibrator stimulation with their forehead in air were recorded and again when forehead and bone vibrator were under water. A vibrometer detected vibrations of a dry human skull in all similar conditions (in air and under water) but not when water was the intermediary between the sound source and the skull forehead. Therefore, the intensities required to induce vibrations of the dry skull in water were significantly higher than the underwater hearing thresholds of the participants, under conditions when hearing by AC and osseous BC is not likely. The results support the hypothesis that hearing under water at low sound intensities may be attributed to nonosseous BC (STC).

Mutual cancellation between tones presented by air conduction, by bone conduction and by non-osseous (soft tissue) bone conduction

2012 ◽  
Vol 283 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 180-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Chordekar ◽  
Leonid Kriksunov ◽  
Liat Kishon-Rabin ◽  
Cahtia Adelman ◽  
Haim Sohmer
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Air Conduction

Comparing intermediate-term hearing results of NiTiBOND and Nitinol prostheses in stapes surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
A Koukkoullis ◽  
I Gerlinger ◽  
A Kovács ◽  
Z Szakács ◽  
Z Piski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Hearing Results ◽  
Bone Conduction Threshold ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Air Conduction

Abstract Objective To statistically analyse the hearing thresholds of two cohorts undergoing stapedotomy for otosclerosis with two different prostheses. Method A retrospective study was conducted comparing NiTiBOND (n = 53) and Nitinol (n = 38) prostheses. Results Average follow-up duration was 4.1 years for NiTiBOND and 4.4 years for Nitinol prostheses. The post-operative air–bone gap was 10 dB or less, indicating clinical success. The p-values for differences between (1) pre- and post-operative values in the NiTiBOND group, (2) pre- and post-operative values in the Nitinol group, (3) pre-operative values and (4) post-operative values in the two groups were: air–bone gap – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.631 and p = 0.647; four-frequency bone conduction threshold – p = 0.076, p = 0.129, p < 0.001 and p = 0.005; four-frequency air conduction threshold – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.043 and p = 0.041; three-frequency (1, 2 and 4 kHz) bone conduction threshold pre-operatively – p = 0.639, p = 0.495, p = 0.001 and p = 0.01; and air conduction threshold at 4 kHz: – p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.03 and p = 0.058. Conclusion Post-operative audiological outcomes for NiTiBOND and Nitinol were comparable.

scholarly journals Audiogram in Response to Stimulation Delivered to Fluid Applied to the External Meatus

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Miriam Geal-Dor ◽  
Shai Chordekar ◽  
Cahtia Adelman ◽  
Michal Kaufmann-Yehezkely ◽  
Haim Sohmer
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
External Auditory Meatus ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
External Meatus ◽  
Transmission Pathways ◽  
Air Conduction

Background and Objectives: Hearing can be elicited in response to vibratory stimuli delivered to fluid in the external auditory meatus. To obtain a complete audiogram in subjects with normal hearing in response to pure tone vibratory stimuli delivered to fluid applied to the external meatus.Subjects and Methods: Pure tone vibratory stimuli in the audiometric range from 0.25 to 6.0 kHz were delivered to fluid applied to the external meatus of eight participants with normal hearing (15 dB or better) using a rod attached to a standard clinical bone vibrator. The fluid thresholds obtained were compared to the air conduction (AC), bone conduction (BC; mastoid), and soft tissue conduction (STC; neck) thresholds in the same subjects.Results: Fluid stimulation thresholds were obtained at every frequency in each subject. The fluid and STC (neck) audiograms sloped down at higher frequencies, while the AC and BC audiograms were flat. It is likely that the fluid stimulation audiograms did not involve AC mechanisms or even, possibly, osseous BC mechanisms.Conclusions: The thresholds elicited in response to the fluid in the meatus likely reflect a form of STC and may result from excitation of the inner ear by the vibrations induced in the fluid. The sloping fluid audiograms may reflect transmission pathways that are less effective at higher frequencies.

scholarly journals Extended high-frequency audiometry in healthy adults with different age groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Wang ◽  
Yu Ai ◽  
Yuechen Han ◽  
Zhaomin Fan ◽  
Peng Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Hearing Threshold ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Hearing Ability ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
High Frequency Audiometry ◽  
Air Conduction

Abstract Background It was well-documented that extended high-frequency (EHF, above 8 kHz) hearing test could be more sensitive comparing with the conventional measurement on frequency below 8 kHz, regarding the early prediction of auditory damage in certain population. However, hardly any age-specific thresholds of EHF in population with normal hearing ability were observed. This study aims to monitor the age-dependent hearing thresholds at EHF (from 9 to 20 kHz) in healthy hearing population. Methods A total of 162 healthy participants (from 21 to 70 years) with normal conventional pure tone audiograms were recruited and separated into five groups by age. Conventional pure tone average was performed with frequencies from 0.25 to 8 kHz under air conduction and from 0.25 to 4 kHz under bone conduction. EHF audiometry from 9 to 20 kHz was determined under air conduction. Results The effects of aging on hearing were evident at frequencies above 4 kHz. The hearing thresholds of EHF were less than 26 dB HL before 30 years-olds. Hearing abilities in EHF were deteriorated starting from the 31 ~ 40 group and were most obvious in the 51 ~ 60 group and the 61 ~ 70 group with the maximum thresholds of 75 dB HL. Sensitivity of EHF was inversely proportional to the frequency within each age group, and to age among groups. Subjects under 30 years old were totally responsive up to 16 kHz, and 52.2% could respond to 20 kHz. Meanwhile, no responsiveness was recorded to 20 kHz in the 51 ~ 60 group and even to 18 kHz in the 61 ~ 70 group. No gender differences in hearing threshold was observed within each age group, except an obvious decline at frequencies of 4, 6, 8, and 9 kHz in male participants of the 41 ~ 50 group. Conclusions Hearing thresholds at EHF from 9 to 20 kHz were more sensitive than at frequencies below 8 kHz for hearing measurement, and aging inversely affected hearing ability at EHF in healthy population. Hearing thresholds at EHF deteriorated with age and raising frequency, while the upper frequency limit decreased with aging. Graphical abstract

Air Conduction, Bone Conduction, and Soft Tissue Conduction Audiograms in Normal Hearing and Simulated Hearing Losses

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cahtia Adelman ◽  
Adi Cohen ◽  
Adi Regev-Cohen ◽  
Shai Chordekar ◽  
Rachel Fraenkel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Auditory Stimulation ◽  
Threshold Shift ◽  
N Application ◽  
Similar Threshold ◽  
Air Conduction

Background: In order to differentiate between a conductive hearing loss (CHL) and a sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in the hearing-impaired individual, we compared thresholds to air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) auditory stimulation. The presence of a gap between these thresholds (an air-bone gap) is taken as a sign of a CHL, whereas similar threshold elevations reflect an SNHL. This is based on the assumption that BC stimulation directly excites the inner ear, bypassing the middle ear. However, several of the classic mechanisms of BC stimulation such as ossicular chain inertia and the occlusion effect involve middle ear structures. An additional mode of auditory stimulation, called soft tissue conduction (STC; also called nonosseous BC) has been demonstrated, in which the clinical bone vibrator elicits hearing when it is applied to soft tissue sites on the head, neck, and thorax. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relative contributions of threshold determinations to stimulation by STC, in addition to AC and osseous BC, to the differential diagnosis between a CHL and an SNHL. Research Design: Baseline auditory thresholds were determined in normal participants to AC (supra-aural earphones), BC (B71 bone vibrator at the mastoid, with 5 N application force), and STC (B71 bone vibrator) to the submental area and to the submandibular triangle with 5 N application force) stimulation in response to 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kHz tones. A CHL was then simulated in the participants by means of an ear plug. Separately, an SNHL was simulated in these participants with 30 dB effective masking. Study sample: Study sample consisted of 10 normal-hearing participants (4 males; 6 females, aged 20–30 yr). Data Collection and Analysis: AC, BC, and STC thresholds were determined in the initial normal state and in the presence of each of the simulations. Results: The earplug-induced CHL simulation led to a mean AC threshold elevation of 21–37 dB (depending on frequency), but not of BC and STC thresholds. The masking-induced SNHL led to a mean elevation of AC, BC, and STC thresholds (23–36 dB, depending on frequency). In each type of simulation, the BC threshold shift was similar to that of the STC threshold shift. Conclusions: These results, which show a similar threshold shift for STC and for BC as a result of these simulations, together with additional clinical and laboratory findings, provide evidence that BC thresholds likely represent the threshold of the nonosseous BC (STC) component of multicomponent BC at the BC stimulation site, and thereby succeed in clinical practice to contribute to the differential diagnosis. This also provides evidence that STC (nonosseous BC) stimulation at low intensities probably does not involve components of the middle ear, represents true cochlear function, and therefore can also contribute to a differential diagnosis (e.g., in situations where the clinical bone vibrator cannot be applied to the mastoid or forehead with a 5 N force, such as in severe skull fracture).

scholarly journals Quantification of assembly forces during creation of head-neck taper junction considering soft tissue bearing: a biomechanical study

Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Wendler ◽  
Torsten Prietzel ◽  
Robert Möbius ◽  
Jean-Pierre Fischer ◽  
Andreas Roth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Force Sensor ◽  
Biomechanical Study ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Head Neck

Abstract Background All current total hip arthroplasty (THA) systems are modular in design. Only during the operation femoral head and stem get connected by a Morse taper junction. The junction is realized by hammer blows from the surgeon. Decisive for the junction strength is the maximum force acting once in the direction of the neck axis, which is mainly influenced by the applied impulse and surrounding soft tissues. This leads to large differences in assembly forces between the surgeries. This study aimed to quantify the assembly forces of different surgeons under influence of surrounding soft tissue. Methods First, a measuring system, consisting of a prosthesis and a hammer, was developed. Both components are equipped with a piezoelectric force sensor. Initially, in situ experiments on human cadavers were carried out using this system in order to determine the actual assembly forces and to characterize the influence of human soft tissues. Afterwards, an in vitro model in the form of an artificial femur (Sawbones Europe AB, Malmo, Sweden) with implanted measuring stem embedded in gelatine was developed. The gelatine mixture was chosen in such a way that assembly forces applied to the model corresponded to those in situ. A study involving 31 surgeons was carried out on the aforementioned in vitro model, in which the assembly forces were determined. Results A model was developed, with the influence of human soft tissues being taken into account. The assembly forces measured on the in vitro model were, on average, 2037.2 N ± 724.9 N, ranging from 822.5 N to 3835.2 N. The comparison among the surgeons showed no significant differences in sex (P = 0.09), work experience (P = 0.71) and number of THAs performed per year (P = 0.69). Conclusions All measured assembly forces were below 4 kN, which is recommended in the literature. This could lead to increased corrosion following fretting in the head-neck interface. In addition, there was a very wide range of assembly forces among the surgeons, although other influencing factors such as different implant sizes or materials were not taken into account. To ensure optimal assembly force, the impaction should be standardized, e.g., by using an appropriate surgical instrument.

High-Frequency Air-Conduction and Electric Bone-Conduction Audiometry: Age and Sex Variations

1991 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heikki Löppönen ◽  
Martti Sorri ◽  
Risto Bloigu
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Air Conduction ◽  
Age And Sex

scholarly journals Vibrational and Acoustical Characteristics of Ear Pinna Simulators That Differ in Hardness

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-334
Author(s):  
Ryota Shimokura ◽  
Tadashi Nishimura ◽  
Hiroshi Hosoi
Keyword(s):  
External Auditory Canal ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Calibration Method ◽  
Vibration Acceleration ◽  
Spectral Peaks ◽  
Ear Cartilage ◽  
A Current ◽  
Air Conduction ◽  
Dominant Frequencies

Because cartilage conduction—the transmission of sound via the aural cartilage—has different auditory pathways from well-known air and bone conduction, how the output volume in the external auditory canal is stimulated remains unknown. To develop a simulator approximating the conduction of sound in ear cartilage, the vibrations of the pinna and sound in the external auditory canal were measured using pinna simulators made of silicon rubbers of different hardness (A40, A20, A10, A5, A0) as measured by a durometer. The same procedure, as well as a current calibration method for air conduction devices, was applied to an existing pinna simulator, the Head and Torso Simulator (hardness A5). The levels for vibration acceleration and sound pressure from these pinna simulators show spectral peaks at dominant frequencies (below 1.5 kHz) for the conduction of sound in cartilage. These peaks were likely to move to lower frequencies as hardness decreases. On approaching the hardness of actual aural cartilage (A10 to A20), the simulated levels for vibration acceleration and sound pressure approximated the measurements of human ears. The adjustment of the hardness used in pinna simulators is an important factor in simulating accurately the conduction of sound in cartilage.

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