MECHANISM OF SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS CAUSED BY TYPICAL SCLEROSIS OF COCHLEA

It is difficult to measure the cochlea directly because of the ethical problems and the complexity of cochlear structure. Therefore, finite element model (FEM) can be used as an effective alternative research method. An accurate FEM of the human ear can not only help people understand the mechanisms of sound transmission, but also effectively assess the effects of otologic diseases and guide research on the treatment of hearing loss. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) FEM of the human normal cochlea is proposed to study the changes in the biomechanical behavior of the cochlear sensory structure caused by the anterior fissure sclerosis and bottom-turn and apex-turn ossification of the cochlear window. The degree and harm of hearing loss caused by diseases are quantitatively predicted, which can deepen the understanding of the biomechanical mechanism of cochlea, and provide theoretical basis for clinical medicine.