The Occlusion Effect in Bone Conduction Hearing

1965 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Goldstein ◽  
Claude S. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Threshold Measure ◽  
Level Shifts ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Occlusion Effect

This experiment tested the hypothesis that the occlusion effect is accompanied by an increase in sound pressure level in the external auditory canal. Pure tone bone conduction thresholds and sound pressure levels were measured, first with the ear canal open, then with the ear canal closed, at two positions of the bone vibrator and at five frequencies in 28 normal listeners. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference between measures at 250, 500, and 1 000 cps but not at 2 000 and 4 000 cps. Average sound pressure level shifts tended to be larger than their threshold measure counterparts. The two measures, nevertheless, yielded positive correlations.

The Occlusion Effect and Ear Canal Sound Pressure Level

1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Fagelson ◽  
Frederick N. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Frontal Bone ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Mastoid Process ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
External Canal ◽  
Pure Tones ◽  
Occlusion Effect

Comparisons were made between changes in the audibility of bone-conduction stimuli to differences in the sound pressure present in the external auditory canal when ears were occluded. Fifteen listeners with normal middle ear function were tested using pure tones of 250, 500, and 1000 Hz, delivered via a bone-conduction oscillator placed on the mastoid process and the frontal bone. At all three frequencies, and both sites of stimulation, ear canal sound pressures were greater in the occluded than in the unoccluded conditions. Concurrently, the test signals were detected at lower intensities, although the changes in audibility and external canal sound pressure levels were not unity. The occlusion effect was attenuated slightly when the skull was vibrated from the frontal bone.

Using Average Correction Factors to Improve the Estimated Sound Pressure Level Near the Tympanic Membrane

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (09) ◽  
pp. 733-750
Author(s):  
Karrie LaRae Recker ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Weili Lin
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Frequency Components ◽  
Ear Canals

Background: Sound pressure-based real ear measurements are considered best practice for ensuring audibility among individuals fitting hearing aids. The accuracy of current methods is generally considered clinically acceptable for frequencies up to about 4 kHz. Recent interest in the potential benefits of higher frequencies has brought about a need for an improved, and clinically feasible, method of ensuring audibility for higher frequencies. Purpose: To determine whether (and the extent to which) average correction factors could be used to improve the estimated high-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) near the tympanic membrane (TM). Research Design: For each participant, real ear measurements were made along the ear canal, at 2–16 mm from the TM, in 2-mm increments. Custom in-ear monitors were used to present a stimulus with frequency components up to 16 kHz. Study Sample: Twenty adults with normal middle-ear function participated in this study. Intervention: Two methods of creating and implementing correction factors were tested. Data Collection and Analysis: For Method 1, correction factors were generated by normalizing all of the measured responses along the ear canal to the 2-mm response. From each normalized response, the frequency of the pressure minimum was determined. This frequency was used to estimate the distance to the TM, based on the ¼ wavelength of that frequency. All of the normalized responses with similar estimated distances to the TM were grouped and averaged. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, the only required information was the frequency of the pressure minimum. Method 2 attempted to, at least partially, account for individual differences in TM impedance, by taking into consideration the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. Because of the strong correlation between a pressure minimum's width and depth, this method effectively resulted in a group of average normalized responses with different pressure-minimum depths. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, it was necessary to know both the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. For both methods, the correction factors were generated using measurements from one group of ten individuals and verified using measurements from a second group of ten individuals. Results: Applying the correction factors resulted in significant improvements in the estimated SPL near the TM for both methods. Method 2 had the best accuracy. For frequencies up to 10 kHz, 95% of measurements had <8 dB of error, which is comparable to the accuracy of real ear measurement methods that are currently used clinically below 4 kHz. Conclusions: Average correction factors can be successfully applied to measurements made along the ear canals of otologically healthy adults, to improve the accuracy of the estimated SPL near the TM in the high frequencies. Further testing is necessary to determine whether these correction factors are appropriate for pediatrics or individuals with conductive hearing losses.

scholarly journals “Horário do Soninho”: uma estratégia para reduzir os níveis de pressão sonora em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Duarte Rocha ◽  
Patricia Miranda Sá ◽  
Danielle Bonotto Cabral Reis ◽  
Ana Carolina Carioca Costa
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sound Pressure Levels ◽  
Terapia Intensiva ◽  
Tiempo De Silencio

ResumoIntrodução: Estudos mostram que o ambiente muito estimulante, com altos níveis sonoros, interfere negativamente no desenvolvimento e crescimento de recém-nascidos. Objetivo: verificar se o "horário do soninho" é capaz de reduzir os níveis de pressão sonora em uma unidade de cuidados neonatais. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal. A medida do nível de pressão sonora foi realizada durante 15 dias não consecutivos, com tempo de avaliação de 30 minutos antes, 1 hora durante e 30 minutos após o "horário do soninho" Resultado: Observamos uma redução dos níveis de pressão sonora durante o "horário do soninho" (p = 0,00). Essa redução permaneceu no período dos 30 minutos subsequentes, com diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparada ao período antes do "horário do soninho" (p = 0,00). Conclusão: O "horário do soninho" é uma ferramenta capaz de reduzir o nível de pressão sonora em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatalPalavras-Chave: ruído; Terapia Intensiva neonatal; Recém-nascido AbstractBackground: Studies show that super stimulating environment, with high sound levels, that negatively interfere in the development and growthof newborns. Aim:  Verify if the "quiet time" is able to reduce the sound pressure levels in a neonatal care unit. Method: It is a cross-sectional research. The measurement of the sound pressure level was performed during 15 non-consecutive days with an evaluation time of 30 minutes before, 1 hour during and 30 minutes after the "quiet time" Result: We observed a reduction of the sound pressure levels during the hours of quiet time (p = 0.00). This reduction remained in the period of the subsequent 30 minutes, with a statistically significant difference when compared to the period before sleep time (p = 0.00). Conclusion: The “quiet time is a tool capable of reducing sound pressure level in a neonatal intensive care unitKey Words: noise; Intensive Care, neonatal; Infant, newborn Resumen"Tiempo de silencio": una herramienta para reducir los niveles de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatalesAntecedentes: los estudios muestran que el entorno súper estimulante, con altos niveles de sonido, interfiere negativamente en el desarrollo y crecimiento de los recién nacidos. Objetivo: Verificar si el "tiempo de silencio" puede reducir los niveles de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados neonatales. Método: es una investigación transversal. La medición del nivel de presión sonora se realizó durante 15 días no consecutivos con un tiempo de evaluación de 30 minutos antes, 1 hora durante y 30 minutos después del "tiempo de silencio" Resultado: Observamos una reducción de los niveles de presión sonora durante las horas de tiempo de silencio (p = 0.00). Esta reducción se mantuvo en el período de los siguientes 30 minutos, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en comparación con el período anterior al tiempo de sueño (p = 0,00). Conclusión: el “tiempo de silencio es una herramienta capaz de reducir el nivel de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales Palabras clave: ruido; Cuidados Intensivos, neonatales; Infante, recién nacido

Effect of Canal Depth on Sound Pressure Level Distribution in Human Bilateral Ears

2011 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Jen Fang Yu ◽  
Wei De Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Stimulus Frequency ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Ear Canals ◽  
The Right

This study was to measure the sound pressure level distribution by ear canal resonance in the human left and right external auditory canals (EAC). The gain for different stimulus frequencies was analyzed at four different measuring depths (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm and 2.0 cm) from the entrance of the ear canal bilaterally. Comparative evaluation showed that the gain for different stimulus frequencies at a depth of 2.0 cm was consistent with the results of Dillon’s study. In addition, the gain for the right EAC at 4000 Hz was larger than that of the left EAC by 1.2 dB at 0.5 cm, 1.8 dB at 1.0 cm, and 0.8 dB at 1.5 cm. This seems to suggest that gain at 4000 Hz is more affected by depth in the right EAC than in the left EAC. This study further found that the gain at the stimulus frequency of 4000 Hz was more affected by the depth than at 2000 Hz for the bilateral ear canals respectively. These gain differences between the right and left ears were statistically significant (p<0.05) at any of four measuring depths. The findings of this study may have an understanding of gain distribution to have implications for microphone placement of custom-made bilateral hearing aids (i.e. ITC or CIC) as these are placed at different depths within the ear canal. Keywords: Sound pressure level; Canal depth; Ear canal resonance; Real ear measurement; External auditory canal

Managing an "Own Voice" Problem That Has an Amplifier Origin

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Kuk
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Frequency Sound ◽  
Tuning Process ◽  
Voice Problem

The complaint from hearing aid wearers of hollowness in the sound of their voice is typically associated with excessive low-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) in the ear canal. Increasing the vent diameter and/or reducing the gain in the low frequency would typically minimize this complaint. This paper reports on a case where the origin of hollowness was insufficient low-frequency gain compared to a previous hearing aid fitting. It describes the systematic process that was followed in uncovering the origin of the patient's hollowness complaint. Clinicians might follow a similar objective approach in their fine-tuning process to resolve wearer complaints.

On the Relationship Between Musicianship and Contralateral Suppression of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (04) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Stuart ◽  
Emma R. Daughtrey
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Music Perception ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Contralateral Suppression ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: The medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent reflex that modulates outer hair cell function has been shown to be more robust in musicians versus nonmusicians as evidenced in greater contralateral suppression of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). All previous research comparing musical ability and MOC efferent strength has defined musicianship dichotomously (i.e., high-level music students or professional classical musicians versus nonmusicians). Purpose: The objective of the study was to further explore contralateral suppression of TEOAEs among adults with a full spectrum of musicianship ranging from no history of musicianship to professional musicians. Musicianship was defined by both self-report and with an objective test to quantify individual differences in perceptual music skills. Research Design: A single-factor between-subjects and correlational research designs were employed. Study Sample: Forty-five normal-hearing young adults participated. Data Collection and Analysis: Participants completed a questionnaire concerning their music experience and completed the Brief Profile of Music Perception Skills (PROMS) to quantify perceptual musical skills across multiple musical domains (i.e., accent, melody, tempo, and tuning). TEOAEs were evaluated with 60 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level click stimuli with and without a contralateral 65 dB sound pressure level white noise suppressor. TEOAE suppression was expressed in two ways, absolute TEOAE suppression in dB and a normalized index of TEOAE suppression (i.e., percentage of suppression). Results: Participants who considered themselves musicians scored significantly higher on all subscales and total Brief PROMS score (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between musicians and nonmusicians in absolute TEOAE suppression or percentage of TEOAE suppression (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant correlations or linear predictive relationships between subscale or total Brief PROMS scores with absolute and percentage of TEOAE suppression (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings do not support the notion of a graded enhancement of MOC efferent suppression among adults with varied degrees of musicianship from nonmusicians to professional musicians.

Contributions of Voice and Nonverbal Communication to Perceived Masculinity–Femininity for Cisgender and Transgender Communicators

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 931-947
Author(s):  
Teresa L. D. Hardy ◽  
Carol A. Boliek ◽  
Daniel Aalto ◽  
Justin Lewicke ◽  
Kristopher Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Presentation Mode ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Presentation Modes ◽  
Audiovisual Stimuli ◽  
Vocal Tract Resonance ◽  
Point Light

Purpose The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to identify a set of communication-based predictors (including both acoustic and gestural variables) of masculinity–femininity ratings and (b) to explore differences in ratings between audio and audiovisual presentation modes for transgender and cisgender communicators. Method The voices and gestures of a group of cisgender men and women ( n = 10 of each) and transgender women ( n = 20) communicators were recorded while they recounted the story of a cartoon using acoustic and motion capture recording systems. A total of 17 acoustic and gestural variables were measured from these recordings. A group of observers ( n = 20) rated each communicator's masculinity–femininity based on 30- to 45-s samples of the cartoon description presented in three modes: audio, visual, and audio visual. Visual and audiovisual stimuli contained point light displays standardized for size. Ratings were made using a direct magnitude estimation scale without modulus. Communication-based predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings were identified using multiple regression, and analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of presentation mode on perceptual ratings. Results Fundamental frequency, average vowel formant, and sound pressure level were identified as significant predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings for these communicators. Communicators were rated significantly more feminine in the audio than the audiovisual mode and unreliably in the visual-only mode. Conclusions Both study purposes were met. Results support continued emphasis on fundamental frequency and vocal tract resonance in voice and communication modification training with transgender individuals and provide evidence for the potential benefit of modifying sound pressure level, especially when a masculine presentation is desired.

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