Acoustic bellows type round window transducer for middle-ear implants

Abstract

Abstract This study describes the development of output devices for round window middle-ear implants (RW-MEIs). To improve the problems of output devices that directly apply sound pressure to RW, acoustic bellows type RW transducer (ABRT) was implemented by combining a small bellows, an acoustic tube, and a balanced armature driver (BA). The output characteristics of the proposed ABRT were confirmed through bench-tested and distortion measurement. To compare the vibration transmission characteristics of ABRT with sound pressure stimulation devices, a cadaveric experiment was performed using 4 human temporal bones. As a result of the comparison, unlike the sound pressure stimulation device, ABRT delivered vibration consistently without reducing the sound pressure level due to leakage. Therefore, ABRT can be evaluated as a more stable and suitable output device for RW-MEIs than a sound pressure stimulation device. These results are expected to overcome the limitations of sound pressure stimulation devices and are expected to contribute to new technical solutions in the field of RW-MEIs.