Biomechanical Modeling and Measurement of Blast Injury and Hearing Protection Mechanisms
Abstract
Objectives of the project are to determine middle ear protective mechanisms and develop the finite element (FE) model of the human ear for simulating blast injury and assisting design/evaluation of HPDs. There are three aims: quantify middle ear injury in relation to blast overpressure (BOP) level and wave direction using cadaver ears; identify middle ear protection mechanisms and hearing damages in animals exposed to blast and measuring mechanical properties of ear tissues after exposure; develop FE model of human ear to predict BOP transmission through the ear and prevention mechanisms of acoustic injury for HPDs. Major findings include: 1) duel laser setup with cadaver ears to monitor tympanic membrane (TM) or HPDs (earplugs) movements during blast exposure; 2) identified hearing damage and cochlear injury caused by repetitive blast exposures at low BOP or single blast at high BOP level (mild or moderate TBI) in animals; 3) hearing and cochlear damages measured in protected ears with earplugs during blast exposure; 4) 3D FE model of the entire ear for modeling blast waves transmitted from the ear canal to cochlea; 5) 3D printed human temporal bone/ear and its application for HPDs evaluation. Results demonstrate biomechanical responses of the ear to blast overpressure and the limited protective mechanism of HPDs for blast exposure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1074289
Entities
People
- Rong Gan
Organizations
- University of Oklahoma