Pieter G.G. Muyshondt

A single-ossicle ear: Acoustic response and mechanical properties measured in duck

To date, the single-ossicle avian middle ear (ME) is poorly understood, despite its striking resemblance to the design of many currently used ossicular replacement prostheses. This study aims to improve comprehension of this system. The acoustic response and the mechanical properties of the mallard middle ear were studied by means of optical interferometry experiments and finite element (FE) simulations. A finite element model was constructed based on μCT data and validated using the experimental results. Stroboscopic holography was used to measure the full-field displacement of the tympanic membrane (TM) under acoustic stimulation, and the transfer function was obtained with laser Doppler vibrometry. A sensitivity analysis concluded that the most influential parameters for ME mechanics are the elasticity of the TM, the extracolumella (the cartilaginous part of the columella) and the annular ligament of the columellar footplate. Estimates for the Youngs modulus of the TM were obtained by iteratively updating the FE model to match experimental data. A considerable inter-individual variability was found for the TMs elasticity. Comparison of the experimental results and the optimized FE model shows that, similar to the human middle ear, damping needs to be present in the TM to describe the specific spatial and frequency dependent vibrations of the TM. In summary, our results indicate which mechanical parameters are essential to the good functioning of the avian ME and provide a first estimation of their values.

The effect of craniokinesis on the middle ear of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

The avian middle ear differs from that of mammalians and contains a tympanic membrane, one ossicle (bony columella and cartilaginous extra‐columella), some ligaments and one muscle. The rim of the eardrum (closing the middle ear cavity) is connected to the neurocranium and, by means of a broad ligament, to the otic process of the quadrate. Due to the limited number of components in the avian middle ear, the possibilities of attenuating the conduction of sound seem to be limited to activity of the stapedius muscle. We investigate to what extent craniokinesis may impact the components of the middle ear because of the connection of the eardrum to the movable quadrate. The quadrate is a part of the beak suspension and plays an important role in craniokinesis. Micro‐computed tomography was used to visualize morphology and the effect of craniokinesis on the middle ear in the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). Both hens and roosters are considered because of their difference in vocalization capacity. It is hypothesized that effects, if present, of craniokinesis on the middle ear will be greater in roosters because of their louder vocalization. Maximal lower jaw depression was comparable for hens and roosters (respectively 34.1 ± 2.6° and 32.7 ± 2.5°). There is no overlap in ranges of maximal upper jaw elevation between the sexes (respectively 12.7 ± 2.5° and 18.5 ± 3.8°). Frontal rotation about the transversal quadrato‐squamosal, and inward rotation about the squamosal‐mandibular axes of the quadrate were both considered to be greater in roosters (respectively 15.4 ± 2.8° and 11.1 ± 2.5°). These quadrate rotations did not affect the columellar position or orientation. In hens, an influence of the quadrate movements on the shape of the eardrum could not be detected either; however, craniokinesis caused slight stretching of the eardrum towards the caudal rim of the otic process of the quadrate. In roosters, an inward displacement of the conical tip of the tympanic membrane of 0.378 ± 0.21 mm, as a result of craniokinesis, was observed. This is linked to a flattening and slackening of the eardrum. These changes most likely go along with a deformation of the extra‐columella. Generally, in birds, larger beak opening is related to the intensity of vocalization. The coupling between larger maximal upper jaw lifting in roosters and the slackening of the eardrum suggest the presence of a passive sound attenuation mechanism during self‐vocalization.

Sound attenuation in the ear of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a result of beak opening

Because the quadrate and the eardrum are connected, the hypothesis was tested that birds attenuate the transmission of sound through their ears by opening the bill, which potentially serves as an additional protective mechanism for self-generated vocalizations. In domestic chickens, it was examined if a difference exists between hens and roosters, given the difference in vocalization capacity between the sexes. To test the hypothesis, vibrations of the columellar footplate were measured ex vivo with laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) for closed and maximally opened beak conditions, with sounds introduced at the ear canal. The average attenuation was 3.5 dB in roosters and only 0.5 dB in hens. To demonstrate the importance of a putative protective mechanism, audio recordings were performed of a crowing rooster. Sound pressures levels of 133.5 dB were recorded near the ears. The frequency content of the vocalizations was in accordance with the range of highest hearing sensitivity in chickens. The results indicate a small but significant difference in sound attenuation between hens and roosters. However, the amount of attenuation as measured in the experiments on both hens and roosters is small and will provide little effective protection in addition to other mechanisms such as stapedius muscle activity.

Quasi-static and dynamic motions of the columellar footplate in ostrich (Struthio camelus) measured ex vivo

&NA; The nature of the movement of the columellar footplate (CFP) in birds is still a matter of ongoing debate. Some sources claim that rocking motion is dominant, while others propose a largely piston‐like motion. In this study, motions of the CFP are experimentally investigated in the ostrich using a post‐mortem approach. For quasi‐static loads, micro‐CT scans of ostrich heads were made under positive and negative middle‐ear pressures of 1 kPa. For dynamic loads, laser Doppler vibrometry was used to measure the velocity on multiple locations of the CFP as a function of excitation frequency from 0.125 to 4 kHz, and digital stroboscopic holography was used to assess the 1D full‐field out‐of‐plane displacement of the CFP at different excitation frequencies. To expose the CFP in the experiments, measurements were made from the medial side of the CFP after opening and draining the inner ear. To determine the influence of the inner‐ear load on CFP motions, a finite element model was created of the intact ostrich middle ear with inner‐ear load included. For quasi‐static loads, the CFP performed largely piston‐like motions under positive ME pressure, while under negative ME pressure the difference between piston and rocking motion was smaller. For dynamic loads, the CFP motion was almost completely piston‐like for frequencies below 1 kHz. For higher frequencies, the motions became more complicated with an increase of the rocking components, although they never exceeded the piston component. When including the inner‐ear load to the model, the rocking components started to increase relative to the piston component when compared to the result of the model with unloaded CFP, but only at high frequencies above 1 kHz. In this frequency range, the motion could no longer be identified as purely piston‐like or rocking. As a conclusion, the current results suggest that CFP motion is predominantly piston‐like below 1 kHz, while at higher frequencies the motion becomes too complicated to be described as purely piston‐like or rocking. HighlightsOstrich footplate motions were studied with micro‐CT, LDV, holography & FE modeling.Mostly, quasi‐static motions are piston‐like, showing small rocking components.Dynamic motions are piston‐like below 1 kHz and more complicated above this range.The inner‐ear load raises rocking relative to piston‐like motion at high frequencies. Abbreviations: (&mgr;)CT, (micro‐)computed tomography; CAL, columellar annular ligament; CFP, columellar footplate; FE, finite element; IE, inner ear; LDV, laser Doppler vibrometry; ME, middle ear; SPL, sound pressure level; TM, tympanic membrane.

Deformation of avian middle ear structures under static pressure loads, and potential regulation mechanisms

Static pressure changes can alter the configuration and mechanical behavior of the chain of ossicles, which may affect the acoustic transfer function. In mammals, the Eustachian tube plays an important role in restoring ambient middle ear pressure, hence restoring the acoustic transfer function and excluding barotrauma of the middle and inner ear. Ambient pressure fluctuations can be potentially extreme in birds and due to the simple structure of the avian middle ear (one ossicle, one muscle), regulation of the middle ear pressure via reflexive opening of the pharyngotympanic tube appears all the more important. In this study the deformations of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) middle ear structures, as a result of middle ear pressure alterations, are quantified, using micro-CT scanning. It was experimentally tested whether reflexive opening of the pharyngotympanic tube to restore ambient middle ear pressure is present in chicken and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and whether this mechanism depends on sensing middle ear pressure indirectly via deformations of the middle ear components or sensing the middle ear pressure directly. A translation of the columella footplate was observed when middle ear pressure was kept at 1kPa and -1kPa relative to ambient pressure. Deformation of the tympanic membrane was larger than the columella footplate translation. Bending and deformation of the extracolumella was observed. Opening of the pharyngotympanic tube occurred at random pressure for both chicken and mallard when middle ear pressure was raised and lowered by 1.5kPa relative to ambient pressure. We also did not find a difference in middle ear venting rate when middle ear pressure was held constant at 0.5, 1, 1.5, -0.5, -1 and -1.5kPa for chickens and at 1, 2, 4, -1, -2 and -4kPa for mallards. As a result, no statement can be made about pressure within the avian middle ear being measured directly or indirectly. Our experiments do not support the presence of a short-loop reflexive control of pressure equilibration via the pharyngotympanic tube. However, it is still possible that triggering this loop requires additional sensorial input (e.g. visual, vestibular) or that it occurs voluntarily (being controlled at a higher brain level).

Do high sound pressure levels of crowing in roosters necessitate passive mechanisms for protection against self-vocalization?

High sound pressure levels (>120dB) cause damage or death of the hair cells of the inner ear, hence causing hearing loss. Vocalization differences are present between hens and roosters. Crowing in roosters is reported to produce sound pressure levels of 100dB measured at a distance of 1m. In this study we measured the sound pressure levels that exist at the entrance of the outer ear canal. We hypothesize that roosters may benefit from a passive protective mechanism while hens do not require such a mechanism. Audio recordings at the level of the entrance of the outer ear canal of crowing roosters, made in this study, indeed show that a protective mechanism is needed as sound pressure levels can reach amplitudes of 142.3dB. Audio recordings made at varying distances from the crowing rooster show that at a distance of 0.5m sound pressure levels already drop to 102dB. Micro-CT scans of a rooster and chicken head show that in roosters the auditory canal closes when the beak is opened. In hens the diameter of the auditory canal only narrows but does not close completely. A morphological difference between the sexes in shape of a bursa-like slit which occurs in the outer ear canal causes the outer ear canal to close in roosters but not in hens.

Ossiculoplasty on Isolated Malleus Fractures : A Human Temporal Bone Study Using Laser Doppler Vibrometry

Hypothesis: In the literature several surgical methods have been reported that aim to improve hearing in patients with isolated malleus fractures; however, it is still not clear which method gives the best results. Background: In this study, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) was used to compare the outcome of different surgical methods on malleus fractures in fresh frozen human temporal bones. Methods: Fractured malleus shafts of defrosted human temporal bones were repaired with bone cement, with a malleus prosthesis from cortical bone, or with a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) from cortical bone, and LDV measurements were obtained for analysis. Results: The best result was achieved with the bone cement only, applied directly at the site of the fracture. The malleus prosthesis and the PORP gave similar results. Conclusion: All three surgical methods gave good results, but when the distal end of the fractured malleus can be attached close to the proximal end, the technique using only cement tends to be the best option. If the parts are too far apart, a malleus prosthesis or a PORP would be good options.

Optical techniques as validation tools for finite element modeling of biomechanical structures, demonstrated in bird ear research

In this paper we demonstrate the potential of stroboscopic digital holography and laser vibrometry as tools to gather vibration data and validate modelling results in complex biomechanical systems, in this case the avian middle ear. Whereas the middle ear of all mammal species contains three ossicles, birds only feature one ossicle, the columella. Despite this far simpler design, the hearing range of most birds is comparable to mammals, and is adapted to operate under very diverse atmospheric circumstances. This makes the investigation of the avian middle ear potentially very meaningful, since it could provide knowledge that can improve the design of prosthetic ossicle replacements in humans such as a TORP (Total Ossicle Replacement Prosthesis). In order to better understand the mechanics of the birds hearing, we developed a finite element model that simulates the transmission of an incident acoustic wave on the eardrum via the middle ear structures to the fluid of the inner ear. The model is based on ge...

Effect of Malleus Handle Fracture on Middle Ear Sound Transmission: Laser Doppler Vibrometry Measurements and Finite Element Simulations

Malleus handle fractures are rare but can cause tremendous hearing loss. Due to the small number of known clinical malleus fracture cases, little is known about the mechanics of middle ears with a malleus fracture. Laser Doppler vibrometry and finite element simulations are used to gain more knowledge about malleus fractures. The experimental measurements show remarkably that at low frequencies an increase in sound transmission can occur and minimal hearing loss occurs below the intact middle ear resonance frequency due to a resonance shift. The simulations do not show these observations when only a fracture is introduced. The addition of other features possibly related to malleus fractures to the models such as the post-fracture eardrum prestress release improve the simulation results. However, features such as post-fracture eardrum deformation could play an important role too.

The effect of single-ossicle ear flexibility and eardrum cone orientation on quasi-static behavior of the chicken middle ear

In the single-ossicle ear of chickens, the quasi-static displacement of the umbo shows great asymmetry; umbo displacements are much larger for negative than for positive pressure in the middle ear, which is opposite to the typical asymmetry observed in mammal ears. To better understand this behavior, a finite-element model was created of the static response of the chicken middle ear. The role of flexibility of the extracolumella in the model was investigated, and the potential effect of the outward orientation of the tympanic-membrane cone was studied by building two adapted models with a flat membrane and an inverted conical membrane. It is found that the extracolumella must be made of flexible material to explain the large inward displacements of the umbo, and that displacements of the footplate are much smaller due to bending of the flexible extracolumella. However, increasing extracolumellar stiffness mostly reduces umbo displacement rather than increasing footplate displacement. The results suggest that the inverted orientation of the membrane cone is responsible for the change in asymmetry of the umbo displacement curve. The asymmetry of the footplate displacement curve in the normal model is smaller, but increases towards positive middle-ear pressure in the case of a flat or inverted membrane geometry.