Open AccessNovel Completely‐in‐the‐Canal Magnet‐Drive Micro Hearing Aid
Author(s) -
Mahboubi Hossein,
Paulick Peyton,
Kiumehr Saman,
Merlo Mark,
Bachman Mark,
Djalilian Hamid R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451438a169
Subject(s) - magnet , materials science , acoustics , ear canal , malleus , stapes , electrical engineering , physics , middle ear , engineering , anatomy , medicine
Objective To describe a novel magnet‐drive micro hearing aid (MMHA), a 3.5‐mm wide device, that fits entirely into the bony canal and drives the tympanic membrane (TM) using a magnet in a noncontact fashion. To test the effectiveness and optimal positioning of the magnet on the TM. Method Cadaveric temporal bones were prepared for laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) of the stapes. MMHA was placed at 1 and 2 mm away from the TM, and the magnets were glued to umbo and lateral process of the malleus. Frequency sweeps between 300 Hz to 12 kHz were performed. Results The MMHA showed frequency response from 300 Hz to 12 kHz at loudness levels from 60 to 120 dBA at 10 dBA steps. Placement of magnet on the umbo resulted in higher amplitudes and lower power requirements than placement on the lateral process. The same results were observed when the device was placed at 1‐mm distance from the TM. Conclusion MMHA is a small completely‐in‐the‐canal hearing aid that drives the TM in a noncontact fashion through a magnet. This novel device has a frequency output wider than air conduction devices. The device’s ability to directly drive the TM enables it to potentially sound more naturally and similar to implantable devices.