Multifield coupled finite element analysis for sound transmission in otitis media with effusion.

In this paper, a newly constructed three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the human ear based on histological sections of a left ear temporal bone is reported. The otitis media with effusion was simulated in the model with variable fluid levels in the middle ear. The interfaces among the air, structure, and fluid in the ear canal and middle ear cavity were identified and the acoustic-structure-fluid coupled FE analysis was conducted when the middle ear fluid level was varied from zero to full fill of the cavity. The results show how the displacements of the tympanic membrane and stapes footplate or the middle ear transfer function is affected by fluid in the cavity across the auditory frequencies. Comparison of model results with measured data in temporal bones indicates that this model has the capability to extend FE analysis into pathological ears such as otitis media with visualized fluid-air interfaces inside the middle ear structures.