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Lumped parametric model of the human ear for sound transmission

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Abstract

A lumped parametric model of the human auditoria peripherals consisting of six masses suspended with six springs and ten dashpots was proposed. This model will provide the quantitative basis for the construction of a physical model of the human middle ear. The lumped model parameters were first identified using published anatomical data, and then determined through a parameter optimization process. The transfer function of the middle ear obtained from human temporal bone experiments with laser Doppler interferometers was used for creating the target function during the optimization process. It was found that, among 14 spring and dashpot parameters, there were five parameters which had pronounced effects on the dynamic behaviors of the model. The detailed discussion on the sensitivity of those parameters was provided with appropriate applications for sound transmission in the ear. We expect that the methods for characterizing the lumped model of the human ear and the model parameters will be useful for theoretical modeling of the ear function and construction of the ear physical model.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Grant HR01-045.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Center of Bioengineering, University of Oklahoma, 865 Asp Avenue, Room 200, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Bin Feng & Rong Z. Gan

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  1. Bin Feng
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  2. Rong Z. Gan
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Correspondence to Rong Z. Gan.

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Supported by Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

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Feng, B., Gan, R.Z. Lumped parametric model of the human ear for sound transmission. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 3, 33–47 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-004-0044-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-004-0044-9

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