Analysis of the Middle-Ear Function. Part I: Input Impedance

Abstract

A quantitative theory of the middle-ear acoustics is developed and expressed in terms of an electric analog. The analog network is based on the functional anatomy of the middle ear. The numerical values of its elements are derived from impedance measurements on normal and pathological ears and from anatomical data. It is shown that the input impedance of the analog agrees within the experimental error with the acoustic impedance at the eardrum, and that changes in analog parameters corresponding to known anatomical changes produce the same effect on its impedance characteristics as measured at the eardrum.