Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
10:40
Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
Published on: January 11, 2018
68.9K
Study of age-related changes in Middle ear transfer function.
Lei Zhou1, Na Shen1, Miaolin Feng2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University , Xuhui District , P. R. China.
Summary
Osteoporosis (OP) may affect middle ear ossicles with age, potentially altering sound transmission. However, simulations suggest these age-related bone and tissue changes have minimal impact on hearing function in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Otolaryngology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Osteoporosis (OP) is prevalent in aging populations and linked to otosclerosis.
- Previous research has not examined OP in the malleus, incus, or stapes, nor its impact on middle ear function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of OP in human middle ear ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes).
- To assess the effect of OP and other age-related changes on middle ear transfer function using finite element (FE) modeling.
Main Methods:
- Refinement of an existing FE model with viscoelastic properties for middle ear soft tissues.
- Simulation of OP in the three ossicles and analysis of its influence on middle ear transfer function.
- Investigation of age-related changes like joint and ligament stiffness.
Main Results:
- Simulated OP of ossicles increased high-frequency displacement of the umbo and stapes footplate.
- Increased stiffness of middle ear soft tissues reduced low-frequency middle ear gain.
- Loosened joints or ligaments enhanced umbo and stapes footplate displacement.
Conclusions:
- Age-related changes in middle ear ossicles, including OP and joint stiffness, may occur.
- These specific age-related changes appear to have a limited effect on overall middle ear transfer function in the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Transfer Function to State Space
774
State-space representation is a powerful tool for simulating physical systems on digital computers, necessitating the conversion of the transfer function into state-space form. Consider an nth-order linear differential equation with constant coefficients, like those encountered in an RLC circuit. The state variables are selected as the output and its n−1 derivatives. Differentiating these variables and substituting them back into the original equation produces the state equations.
In an RLC...
In an RLC...
774
01:21State Space to Transfer Function
565
The conversion of state-space representation to a transfer function is a fundamental process in system analysis. It provides a method for transitioning from a time-domain description to a frequency-domain representation, which is crucial for simplifying the analysis and design of control systems.
The transformation process begins with the state-space representation, characterized by the state equation and the output equation. These equations are typically represented as:
The transformation process begins with the state-space representation, characterized by the state equation and the output equation. These equations are typically represented as:
565
01:23Transfer function and Bode Plots-II
728
In the standard form, the transfer function is shown in constant gain, poles/zeros at origin, simple poles/zeros, and quadratic poles/zeros; each contributing uniquely to the system's overall response. The term represents the magnitude of the simple zero:
728
01:21Transfer Function in Control Systems
1.5K
The transfer function is a fundamental concept in the analysis and design of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. It offers a concise way to understand how a system responds to different inputs in the frequency domain. It serves as a bridge between the time-domain differential equations that describe system dynamics and the frequency-domain representation that facilitates easier manipulation and analysis.
To derive the transfer function, consider a general nth-order linear time-invariant...
To derive the transfer function, consider a general nth-order linear time-invariant...
1.5K
01:19Transfer function and Bode Plots-I
712
A transfer function presented in its standard form integrates elements' constant gain, the zeros, and poles at the origin, simple zeros and poles, and quadratic poles and zeros. The transfer function can be written as H(ω):
712
01:16Anatomy of the Ear
11.3K
Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
11.3K