Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington St, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, UK.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cambridge University Hospitals, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2024 Aug;52(8):2247-2257. doi: 10.1007/s10439-024-03526-9. Epub 2024 May 13.
This research aims to enhance the understanding of the acoustic processes occurring during sonotubometry, a method used to assess the Eustachian tube (ET) function. Recent advancements in digital signal processing enable a more comprehensive data analysis. In this project, a silicone model of the ET was developed to systematically study the existing noise and sound sources. These measurements were then compared with recordings from human subjects. Three distinct 'noise sources' were identified, which can influence the assessment of the ET opening using transmission measurements of the imposed signal: sound leakage from the speaker, a clicking noise at the initiation of ET opening, and rumbling/swallowing noise. Through spectral analysis, it was also possible to ascertain the spectral and temporal occurrence of these sound and noise types. The silicone model exhibited remarkable similarity to the healthy human ET, making it a robust experimental model for investigating the acoustics of sonotubometry. The findings underscore the significance of delving deeper into the analysed sound, as the noise occurring during sonotubometry can be easily misconstrued as an actual ET opening. Particularly, careful consideration is warranted when evaluating data involving clicking and swallowing noise.
本研究旨在深入了解声导管测量（sonotubometry）过程中的声学现象，声导管测量是一种用于评估咽鼓管（Eustachian tube，ET）功能的方法。数字信号处理的最新进展使得更全面的数据分析成为可能。在本项目中，开发了一个 ET 的硅模型，以系统地研究现有的噪声和声源。然后将这些测量结果与人体受试者的记录进行比较。确定了三个不同的“噪声源”，它们会影响使用施加信号的传输测量来评估 ET 开口：扬声器的声音泄漏、ET 开口启动时的咔嗒声以及隆隆声/吞咽声。通过频谱分析，还可以确定这些声音和噪声类型的频谱和时间发生情况。硅模型与健康人类 ET 非常相似，使其成为研究声导管测量声学的强大实验模型。研究结果强调了深入分析所分析声音的重要性，因为声导管测量过程中发生的噪声很容易被误解为实际的 ET 开口。在评估涉及咔嗒声和吞咽声的数据分析时，需要特别注意。
