The Effect of Soft Tissue Stimulation on Skull Vibrations and Hearing Thresholds in Humans.
Journal
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
ISSN: 1537-4505
Titre abrégé: Otol Neurotol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 100961504
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 04 2021
01 04 2021
Historique:
pubmed:
23
1
2021
medline:
24
4
2021
entrez:
22
1
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Hearing via soft tissue stimulation involves an osseous pathway. A recent study that measured both hearing thresholds and skull vibrations found that vibratory stimulation of soft tissue led to hearing sensation that correlated with skull vibrations, supporting the hypothesis of an osseous pathway. It is possible, however, that a lower application force of the vibrator on the stimulated soft tissue would not be sufficient to elicit skull vibration suggesting hearing via a nonosseous pathway. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the osseous pathway by measuring skull vibrations and behavioral thresholds using a low application force on a layer of ultrasound gel. Gel was used to mimic soft tissue because of its similar acoustic impedance and to control for variability between participants. Hearing thresholds and the skull vibrations of five patients who were implanted with bone-anchored implants were assessed in two conditions when the bone vibrator was applied on the forehead: 1) direct application with 5N force; 2) through a layer of ultrasound gel with minimal application force. Skull vibrations were measured in both conditions by a laser Doppler vibrometer focused on the bone-anchored implant. Skull vibrations were present even when minimal application force was applied on soft tissue. The difference in skull vibrations when the vibrator was directly on the forehead compared with the gel condition was consistent with the variability in hearing thresholds between the two conditions. These results reinforce the hypothesis that skull vibrations are involved in hearing when sound is transmitted via either soft tissue or bone.
Sections du résumé
HYPOTHESIS
Hearing via soft tissue stimulation involves an osseous pathway.
BACKGROUND
A recent study that measured both hearing thresholds and skull vibrations found that vibratory stimulation of soft tissue led to hearing sensation that correlated with skull vibrations, supporting the hypothesis of an osseous pathway. It is possible, however, that a lower application force of the vibrator on the stimulated soft tissue would not be sufficient to elicit skull vibration suggesting hearing via a nonosseous pathway. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the osseous pathway by measuring skull vibrations and behavioral thresholds using a low application force on a layer of ultrasound gel. Gel was used to mimic soft tissue because of its similar acoustic impedance and to control for variability between participants.
METHODS
Hearing thresholds and the skull vibrations of five patients who were implanted with bone-anchored implants were assessed in two conditions when the bone vibrator was applied on the forehead: 1) direct application with 5N force; 2) through a layer of ultrasound gel with minimal application force. Skull vibrations were measured in both conditions by a laser Doppler vibrometer focused on the bone-anchored implant.
RESULTS
Skull vibrations were present even when minimal application force was applied on soft tissue. The difference in skull vibrations when the vibrator was directly on the forehead compared with the gel condition was consistent with the variability in hearing thresholds between the two conditions.
CONCLUSION
These results reinforce the hypothesis that skull vibrations are involved in hearing when sound is transmitted via either soft tissue or bone.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33481542
doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002990
pii: 00129492-202104000-00032
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
598-605Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.
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