有限要素法による中耳振動シミュレーション(<小特集>福祉におけるシミュレーション技術の活用)  [in Japanese] Analysis of Human Middle-Ear Vibration Using the Finite-Element Method(Special Features on Applications of Simulation Methods to Welfare-Purpose Technology)  [in Japanese]

The middle ear plays an important role in auditory mechanics by transmitting sound signals from the external auditory meatus to the cochlea. Because the mobility of the middle ear is different between individuals, the efficiency in the sound transmission of the middle ear may also be different between individuals. In particular, if a patient suffers from diseases affiliated with a fixation of ligaments and tendons, which support the ossicles, the differences will be large. The effects of diseases on middle-ear function, however, have not been clarified because clinical data contain uncertain factors, and separating the effect of a single factor from the other factors is difficult. In this study, the finite-element model of the middle ear is used to examine the effects of diseases on the transmission characteristics of the middle ear.