MIDDLE-EAR TRANSMISSION DISORDERS - TYMPANIC MEMBRANE VIBRATION ANALYSIS BY LASER-DOPPLER-VIBROMETRY

Laser-Doppler-vibrometry is a useful method to measure vibrations of t he tympanic membrane. It is suitable to objectively diagnose the middl e ear. In comparison to tympanometry, laser-Doppler-vibrometry has gre ater sensitivity. Temporal bone specimens were specially prepared to s imulate middle ear disorders like middle ear effusion, fixation of the malleus head, fixation of the stapes footplate and removal of the inc us. A correlation between the displacement function of the umbo and th e experimentally produced middle ear disorders could be demonstrated. For the first time it was possible to measure the vibration of the tym panic membrane by using a laser-Doppler-vibrometer in a healthy 25-yea r-old male.