Fractional-order modelling and simulation of human ear

ABSTRACT

Conventional integer-order lumped element models cannot fully describe the memory-dependent viscoelastic behaviour of bio-tissues. We propose a tunable and more predictive lumped element modelling of fractional-order sense for human ear, which is better adapted to the physical nature of the bio-materials. We develop a computational–mathematical framework for human ear to account for the power-law characteristics of viscoelastic bio-tissues. On the experiment side, we obtain impedance data and distortion product otoacoustic emissions data from several participants, to estimate the round-trip outer-middle ear gain, for parameter fitting and validation of the proposed model. This modelling approach provides a sound basis for data-driven modelling and simulation of the viscoelastic tissues of the human ear.

Abbreviations: DPOAE: distortion product otoacoustic emission; FTF: forward transfer function; OMEG: round-trip outer-middle ear gain; RTF: reverse transfer function; TM: tympanic membrane

KEYWORDS:

• Fractional-order lumped element modelling
• fractional-order transmission line
• power-law viscoelasticity
• human ear modelling
• distortion product otoacoustic emissions

2010 AMS CLASSIFICATION:

• 92C10
• 97M10
• 26A33
• 34A08
• 92B05

Acknowledgments

The first author would like to acknowledge Dr Dimitar Deliyski's support at the Voice and Speech Lab at Michigan State University. Moreover, the authors would like to thank Dr Sunil Puria and Dr Heidi Nakajima for helpful discussions and providing experimental data.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

ORCID

Maryam Naghibolhosseini http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7310-8456