Inner ear fluid pressure was measured during 6.25 mHz square wave middle ear pressure manipulation, with a perforated tympanic membrane. After a negative-going middle ear pressure change the calculated flow resistance of the inner ear pressure release routes (mainly the cochlear aqueduct) was approximately constant, with a value of 12 Pa s/nl (averaged over two ears), when values for the inner ear window compliance are taken from the literature. After a positive-going middle ear pressure change the calculated flow resistance changed with round window position and with the pressure difference across the cochlear aqueduct. It reached an average maximum value of 114 Pa s/nl. The change of flow resistance during inner ear pressure variation can be explained by a permeability change of the cochlear aqueduct, caused by a change of structures filling the aqueduct and its entrance in scala tympani.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.