title: Conditions for highly efficient and reproducible round-window stimulation in humans.
abstract: Round-window stimulation is a new clinical approach for the application of active middle-ear implants. To investigate factors influencing the efficiency of round-window stimulation, experiments in 6 human temporal bones were performed with different actuator geometries and coupling conditions. The experiments show that the amplitude ratio between stapes and round-window actuator vibration is most efficient when using a 1.0-mm diameter rod with a 30° inclined tip geometry and an attached silicone pad. In this case, the amplitude ratio is 0.34 for frequencies up to 1.5 kHz and 0.27 for frequencies up to 20 kHz, with a standard deviation of only 4-6 dB at most frequencies. The analysis of data presented here and in a companion paper suggests that control of proper round-window membrane pretension as well as the inclined tip geometry are the major requirements for maximal performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Section of Physiological Acoustics and Communication, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Schraven
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hirt
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goll
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heyd
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gummer
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Zenner
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalhoff
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D012405:Round Window, Ear; D013701:Temporal Bone; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*