Dynamics of the Middle Ear with an Implantable Hearing Device. An improved Electromechanical Model

Abstract

An implantable middle ear hearing device is a promising and novel apparatus that can help improve hearing for patients with both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Therefore, it is of key importance to have an adequate mathematical and numerical model for testing. In this paper, a multi-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model with electromechanical coupling is proposed. The model has been significantly improved compared with the previous one reported in the literature. Periodic vibrations of the stapes are calculated by means of the harmonic balance method and verified numerically. Irregular and chaotic behaviour patterns are found as well as numerical simulations are performed. As a result, the maps of possible regular and irregular solutions are developed, indicating that bistable periodic solutions and subharmonic stapes motion can be observed even for stimulation necessary for normal hearing.