Study on effects of partial ossicular replacement prostheses with different materials on hearing restoration

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Hearing loss often results from damage to the ossicular chain.
• Partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORPs) are used to restore hearing.
• The material properties of PORPs significantly influence their acoustic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biomechanical effects of different PORP materials on hearing restoration using numerical simulations.
• To analyze sound conduction dynamics and compare the efficacy of various PORP materials.

Main Methods:

• A 3D finite element model of the human ear was created from CT scan data.
• Frequency response analysis was performed on the model.
• Numerical models of PORPs with different materials were established for dynamic calculations.

Main Results:

• Different PORP materials exhibit varying effects on sound conduction across different frequency bands.
• Hydroxyapatite ceramics and stainless steel provide better low-frequency sound transmission.
• Porous polyethylene excels in high-frequency sound transmission.
• Alumina ceramics, hydroxyapatite ceramics, EH composite materials, and porous polyethylene show promise in the clinically relevant 500-3,000 Hz range.
• Hydroxyapatite ceramics demonstrated a 7.1 dB greater hearing restoration value than stainless steel, and titanium showed a 4.9 dB improvement.

Conclusions:

• Material selection for PORPs is critical for optimizing hearing restoration outcomes.
• Hydroxyapatite ceramics offer superior sound transmission compared to titanium and stainless steel, especially within the 500-3,000 Hz frequency range.
• Further research into material properties can enhance the effectiveness of ossicular prostheses.