It was suggested by Hellström et al. [1982] that the rat is of value in otological research because the middle-ear structures are easily approachable and because rats are less expensive than other species used in middle-ear research.
Since almost all human genes known to be associated with disease have orthologues in the rat genome, and since rats have recently been added to the list of species whose genomes have been mapped [Rat Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2004], the rat could become an even more valuable tool in middle-ear research.
The literature contains few studies on rat middle-ear mechanics. Early studies by Beccari and Molinengo [1958] and by Ishii et al. [1964] reported the frequencies of maximum sensitivity of the ear, but no frequency responses were shown.
More recent studies by Doan et al. [1996] and Bigelow et al. [1996, 1998] did provide frequency responses but they measured the frequency responses at only one point on the tympanic membrane. To fully understand the vibrations of the middle ear, one needs to measure displacements at multiple points. The goal of the present study is to better characterize the mechanics of the rat middle ear by measuring frequency responses at multiple points.
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