Finite element and experimental modeling of jaw movement-induced deformations in the human earcanal

As ear-related technologies proliferate, optimizing comfort, retention, and battery life is crucial for enhancing user experience. A thorough understanding of the anatomical interaction between the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the earcanal during mouth-opening is essential. This study develops a finite element model and an experimental setup to investigate the biomechanical coupling between the TMJ and the earcanal. We analyze reverse-static deformations, focusing on cartilage-bone junction geometry, mandibular condyle location, and concha mobility. The earcanal geometry is assessed across five cross-sections with seven key dimensions measured. The results indicate that the deformations in cantilever-beam-like models closely match the reference geometry in both approaches, particularly in the lateral region. These findings suggest that a dynamic motion model of the earcanal, accurately simulating its behavior, is feasible.