Middle Ear Transmission Disorders—Tympanic Membrane Vibration Analysis by Laser-Doppler-Vibrometry

Laser-Doppler-vibrometry is a useful method to measure vibrations of the tympanic membrane. It is suitable to objectively diagnose the middle ear. In comparison to tympanometry, laser-Doppler-vibrometry has greater sensitivity. Temporal bone specimens were specially prepared to simulate middle ear disorders like middle ear effusion, fixation of the malleus head, fixation of the stapes footplate and removal of the incus. A correlation between the displacement function of the umbo and the experimentally produced middle ear disorders could be demonstrated. For the first time it was possible to measure the vibration of the tympanic membrane by using a laser-Doppler-vibrometer in a healthy 25-year-old male.