Issues Concerning the Mechanisms of Bone Conduction

TL;DR

This paper discusses the need for further research into how bone conduction works in hearing.

Contribution

The paper highlights inconsistencies in current understanding of bone conduction mechanisms.

Findings

Bone conduction may involve the outer and middle ears, contrary to previous beliefs.

Normal bone conduction thresholds can occur despite lesions in the conduction pathway.

Abstract

Air and bone conduction thresholds are used to differentiate between conductive and sensori-neural hearing losses because bone conduction is thought to bypass the conductive apparatus, directly activating the inner ear. However, the suggested bone conduction mechanisms involve the outer and middle ears. Also, normal bone conduction thresholds have been reported in cases of lesions to the conduction pathway. Therefore, further investigation of bone conduction mechanisms is required.