Complex modulus of round window membrane over auditory frequencies in normal and otitis media chinchilla ears

To better reveal the mechanical properties of round window membrane (RWM) in normal and pathological ears, the complex modulus of chinchilla RWM was determined by measuring its dynamic behaviour together with the finite element simulation. The acute otitis media (AOM) was created by transbullar injection of Haemophilus influenzae in chinchillas and RWM specimens in AOM ears were prepared four days post inoculation. Vibration of the RWM induced by coil-magnet force stimulation was measured by laser Doppler vibrometry over frequencies of 0.2-8 kHz. A finite element model-based inverse-problem solving method was used to determine the complex modulus of each RWM specimen in the frequency domain. Experimental results of the AOM ears indicated that the resonance frequency decreased by 13.94% compared with the normal ears and the mean storage modulus and loss modulus were decreased by 65% and 32%, respectively.