The Middle Ear

Transformer
ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

The Need for the Middle Ear
Transformer
• Cochlear fluid is harder to displace than air
• Most of the energy may be reflected
• Less than 1% of energy is transferred to the inner ear
• If the tympanic membrane and ossicular system
were gone or damaged
• 15-20dB drop in hearing sensitivity
• If pure air conduction to the cochlea

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Catenary Ossicular
Lever
Lever

Hydraulic
Lever

Impedance Matching
ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.
Area Ratio Advantage (Hydraulic
Lever)

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Area Ratio Advantage
• The tympanic membrane is 17 times larger than
the stapes
• This increases pressure (F/A)
• Same force, smaller area
• 15-20 time multiplier

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Curved Membrane Buckling
(Catenary Lever)

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Curved Membrane Buckling
• There is less displacement in the manubrium
prominence area
• Greater displacement in the curved membrane
• Amplifies sound by 100%

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Lever Action of Ossicular Chain
(Ossicular Lever)

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.
Lever Action of Ossicular Chain
• The increased movement of the stapes is not the
cause of amplification
• Cause of amplification is the length ratio of the
malleus to the incus
• Smallest contributor to amplification
• Only increases by 30%

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Middle Ear Transformer in Action

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.

Summary
• Sound energy is approximately amplified 46 times
by the middle ear transformer
• 15-20 times through hydraulic lever
• 2 times through catenary lever
• 1.3 times through ossicular lever
• Moderated by the tensor tympani and stapedius
• Reflexive contraction
• Protects from continuous loud sounds
• Reduces perceived loudness to own voice
ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.
References
Gelfand, S. A. (2009). Essentials of audiology. New York,
USA: Thieme Medical Publishers Inc.
Hall, J. E. (2016). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical
physiology. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier.
Widmaier, E. P., Raff, H., & Strang, K. T. (2014). Vander’s
human physiology: The mechanisms of body function. New
York, USA: McGraw Hill.

ROZUL, Carlos Diego A.