Occlusion Effect in Response to Stimulation by Soft Tissue Conduction-Implications (†)

To gain insight into the broader implications of the occlusion effect (OE—difference between unoccluded and occluded external canal thresholds), the OE in response to pure tones at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kHz to two bone conduction sites (mastoid and forehead) and two soft tissue conduction (STC) sites (under the chin and at the neck) were assessed. The OE was present at the soft tissue sites and at the bone conduction sites, with no statistical difference between them. The OE was significantly greater at lower frequencies, and negligible at higher frequencies. It seems that the vibrations induced in the soft tissues (STC) during stimulation at the soft tissue sites are conducted not only to the inner ear and elicit hearing, but also reach the walls of the external canal and initiate air pressures in the occluded canal which drive the tympanic membrane and excite the inner ear, leading to hearing. Use of a stethoscope by the internist to hear intrinsic body sounds (heartbeat, blood flow) serves as a clear demonstration of STC and its relation to hearing.