Temporal-Bone Measurements of the Maximum Equivalent Pressure Output and Maximum Stable Gain of a Light-Driven Hearing System That Mechanically Stimulates the Umbo.

ABSTRACT:

Hypothesis

That maximum equivalent pressure output (MEPO) and maximum stable gain (MSG) measurements demonstrate high output and high gain margins in a light-driven hearing system (Earlens).

Background

The nonsurgical Earlens consists of a light-activated balanced-armature transducer placed on the tympanic membrane (Lens) to drive the middle ear through direct umbo contact. The Lens is driven and powered by encoded pulses of light. In comparison to conventional hearing aids, the Earlens is designed to provide higher levels of output over a broader frequency range, with a significantly higher MSG. MEPO provides an important fitting guideline.

Methods

Four fresh human cadaveric temporal bones were used to measure MEPO directly. To calculate MEPO and MSG, we measured the

SUBMITTER: Puria S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4712733 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature