Experimental models of ossiculoplasty.

Measurement of the acoustic properties of middle ear prostheses in an appropriate model prior to insertion in humans should be part of the routine of the prosthesis development and testing process, but it is not. This article describes a human temporal bone model suitable for such testing and discusses the results of several commonly used prostheses evaluated in the model. By comparing existing and new experimental prostheses in such a model, we should be better able to develop prostheses capable of providing improved hearing results following middle ear reconstruction.