Middle ear mechanics and their interface with respect to implantable electronic otologic devices

The understanding of construction principles of the middle ear and its mechanical behavior is valuable in the development of implantable hearing aids, as these devices have to adapt to the mechanics of the normal middle ear for optimal function. The input of the vibrational energy of a transducer into the ossicular chain follows the same mechanical fundamentals as in passive prostheses. Many aspects of middle ear mechanics, which are relevant for the acoustic quality of ossicular prostheses thus are also applicable for implantable transducers: the direction of vibrational mode, the stability of the contact zone between driver and ossicles, the increase of mass and impedance of the vibratory elements in the middle ear, the performance at changes of ambient air pressure, the potential feed back effects, and so forth.