Figure 11: Loss of the middle ear transmission function in dB related to the neutral position of the stapes (zero line) and increasing deflection in direction of the promontorium (tilting around the longitudinal axis of the footplate). The deflection forces are measured in mN. Also tilting alone without additional displacement in direction of the vestibulum reveals transmission losses. They are clearly lower compared to axial forces (see figure 10) (measurement in fresh temporal bone specimens, stimulation with 50 mV (corresponding to 94 dB SPL) via the floating mass transducer on the stapes head).