Handheld laser-fiber vibrometry probe for assessing auditory ossicles displacement

Significance: Measurements of auditory ossicles displacement are commonly carried out by means of laser-Doppler vibrometry (LDV), which is considered to be a gold standard. The limitation of the LDV method, especially for in vivo measurements, is the necessity to expose an object in a straight line to a laser beam operating from a distance. An alternative to this approach is the use of a handheld laser-fiber vibrometry probe (HLFVP) with a curved tip. Aim: We evaluate the feasibility of an HLFVP with a curved tip for measuring sound-induced displacement of the auditory ossicles. Approach: A handheld vibrometer probe guiding the laser beam with a fiber-optic cable was used for displacement m…