ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of high pressure environment on human cochlea, so as to supplement inadequate study on cochlea behavior under high pressure conditions due to insufficient experimental methods, and provide new ideas for the targeted research on cochlea in future. Methods Based on CT scan images of normal human cochlea and combined with self-compiling program and the software PATRAN, a three-dimensional finite element model of spiral cochlea was constructed. The fluid-solid coupling frequency response analysis and transient response analysis were made by using NASTRAN. The effect of high pressure on cochlea was then investigated by numerical simulation. Results The simulated results of ratio of displacement at 12 mm from basilar membrane to that at the oval window were consistent with those reported in the literature, which verified the correctness of the model. In high pressure environment, the amplitude of cochlea basilar membrane at characteristic frequency point would decrease with the pressure increasing. Conclusions High pressure conditions can ultimately lead to the loss of human hearing. The research findings provide the theoretical support for developing high pressure buffer devices in clinic.