The definition of acoustic impedance and its application to the human hearing organ

摘要

Acoustic impedance measurement at the point entry into the external auditory meatus provides a rapid means to detect malfunctions of the middle ear in the region of the tympanic membrane, without having recourse to perforating the tympanic membrane. In this article we define acoustic impedance and provide a brief reminder of its physical properties. In the last part, we review the possibilities offered by measurement of the impedance to acoustic stimuli, not only for clinical diagnosis, but also n the understanding to the physical phenomena occuring within the hearing organ.