UMBO displacement transfer function analysis using finite element modeling

Human auditory system is a complex biomechanical structure and tympanic membrane (TM) is one of the important structures in the air conduction pathway. It moves when sound waves are applied on it and transfers to the sensorineural part through the ossicles. To detect any middle ear problems, it is important to observe the tympanic membrane response under sound loads of various frequencies. Finite element (FE) method is a mathematical technique that used to analyze the TM behavior. The geometrical model of TM was built using CAD software. ABAQUS CAE software was used to discretize the geometrical model and analyze the response of the TM by using the FE method. Mechanical properties of the TM were found from previous works. The model was analyzed to observe the TM response under the sound load of one-third octave band over a frequency range of 100 Hz to 4 kHz with 80 dB and 60dB sound pressure levels. Umbo displacements were obtained for those frequencies. The umbo displacement transfer function (UDTF) was calculated from the obtained responses. The obtained response was compared with the previous FE model and also with the experimental responses.