Basilar Membrane Stiffness Measurement via Otoacoustic Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack a suitable measure for basilar membrane stiffness in humans, which is essential for diagnosing and treating presbycusis, a form of age-related hearing loss that contributes to the overall decline in hearing and affects different sub-factors of hearing loss at varying rates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of sound waves with specific frequencies and volumes to measure the stiffness of the basilar membrane by activating and biasing the cochlear region, utilizing an electroacoustic transducer and cochlear response sensor, and processing the responses to determine the membrane's stiffness, thereby enabling the assessment of presbycusis and its sub-factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional hearing tests are used, then general hearing ability can be assessed, but specific basilar membrane stiffness cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses otoacoustic emissions as an intermediary measurement. Instead of directly measuring basilar membrane stiffness, the system measures the sound waves emitted by the cochlea in response to stimulation, which indirectly reflects membrane stiffness properties. This intermediary approach enables precise measurement without direct physical access to the membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of the basilar membrane with an acoustic measurement system. By using electroacoustic transducers to generate stimulation tones and microphones to detect otoacoustic emissions, the system substitutes complex mechanical measurement with acoustic field measurements, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sound frequencies are used to measure different cochlear regions, then measurement comprehensiveness improves, but test duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic presentation of multiple stimulation frequencies in a structured sequence. By systematically cycling through different frequency pairs (e.g., 500Hz with 4000Hz, 1000Hz with 4000Hz, etc.), the system comprehensively assesses multiple cochlear regions while maintaining efficient test timing through repetitive, standardized measurement protocols.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the accurate measurement of basilar membrane stiffness, improving the diagnosis and prediction of hearing loss decline, tailoring hearing aid prescriptions, and optimizing cochlear implant outcomes by quantifying the contribution of different presbycusis sub-factors.
Implementation Method 1
providing sound waves using the electroacoustic transducer
Implementation Method 2
providing sound waves having: a first frequency configured to activate the region; and a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency and is configured to bias the region
Implementation Method 3
measure a response to the provided sound wave using the cochlear response sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Diagnosing and treating presbycusis (age related hearing loss) includes measuring basilar membrane stiffness. In an example, a low frequency component of an electrocochleogram stimulation signal is used to bias a region of the basilar membrane, the results of which are used basilar membrane stiffness. The resulting measurement is used to measure a subcomponent of presbycusis. Further, the measurement can be combined with known diagnostic methods to reveal or distinguish other origins of hearing loss such as strial presbycusis, sensory presbycusis, neural presbycusis, and cochlea conductive presbycusis. The relative contributions for each of the diagnosed origins of hearing loss can be determined.