title: Mechanical, acoustic and electromagnetic evaluation of the semi-implantable middle ear hearing device (SIMEHD).
abstract: The properties of the partially implantable middle ear hearing device (SIMEHD) were extensively studied. The internal unit was subjected to 5,000 cycles of bending at a force of 75 g (gravity) without failure. An accurate measurement of the force output of the SIMEHD was obtained (14-25 dynes/mA). This force is too small to cause any damage to the ossicular chain. The force resulting from electromagnetic interference over a wide frequency range (500 khz -1 Giga (10(9)) Hz) was measured and noted to be within the margin of safety. The frequency response plots (500-8,000 Hz) were also obtained and revealed an excellent ability to amplify middle and high-frequency sounds.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Abbass
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garverick
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Maniglia
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Frenz
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004432:Ear, Middle; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000592:standards*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards*