scholarly journals Acoustic event location and background noise characterization on a free flying infrasound sensor network in the stratosphere

2018 ◽  
Vol 213 (3) ◽  
pp. 1524-1535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C Bowman ◽  
Sarah A Albert
Author(s):  
Brian Skoglind ◽  
Travis Roberts ◽  
Sourabh Karmakar ◽  
Cameron Turner ◽  
Laine Mears

Abstract Electrical connections in consumer products are typically made manually rather than through automated assembly systems due to the high variety of connector types and connector positions, and the soft flexible nature of their structures. Manual connections are prone to failure through missed or improper connections in the assembly process and can lead to unexpected downtime and expensive rework. Past approaches for registering connection success such as vision verification or Augmented Reality have shown limited ability to verify correct connection state. However, the feasibility of an acoustic-based verification system for electrical connector confirmation has not been extensively researched. One of the major problems preventing acoustic based verification in a manufacturing or assembly environment is the typically low signal to noise ratio (SNR) between the sound of an electrical connection and the diverse soundscape of the plant. In this study, a physical means of background noise mitigation and signature amplification are investigated in order to increase the SNR between the electrical connection and the plant soundscape in order to improve detection. The concept is that an increase in the SNR will lead to an improvement in the accuracy and robustness of an acoustic event detection and classification system. Digital filtering has been used in the past to deal with low SNRs, however, it runs the risk of filtering out potential important features for classification. A sensor platform is designed to filter out and reduce background noise from the plant without effecting the raw acoustic signal of the electrical connection, and an automated detection algorithm is presented. The solution is over 75% effective at detecting and classifying connections.


Author(s):  
D.R. Ensor ◽  
C.G. Jensen ◽  
J.A. Fillery ◽  
R.J.K. Baker

Because periodicity is a major indicator of structural organisation numerous methods have been devised to demonstrate periodicity masked by background “noise” in the electron microscope image (e.g. photographic image reinforcement, Markham et al, 1964; optical diffraction techniques, Horne, 1977; McIntosh,1974). Computer correlation analysis of a densitometer tracing provides another means of minimising "noise". The correlation process uncovers periodic information by cancelling random elements. The technique is easily executed, the results are readily interpreted and the computer removes tedium, lends accuracy and assists in impartiality.A scanning densitometer was adapted to allow computer control of the scan and to give direct computer storage of the data. A photographic transparency of the image to be scanned is mounted on a stage coupled directly to an accurate screw thread driven by a stepping motor. The stage is moved so that the fixed beam of the densitometer (which is directed normal to the transparency) traces a straight line along the structure of interest in the image.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-428
Author(s):  
Jasleen Singh ◽  
Karen A. Doherty

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess how the use of a mild-gain hearing aid can affect hearing handicap, motivation, and attitudes toward hearing aids for middle-age, normal-hearing adults who do and do not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Method A total of 20 participants (45–60 years of age) with clinically normal-hearing thresholds (< 25 dB HL) were enrolled in this study. Ten self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise, and 10 did not self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. All participants were fit with mild-gain hearing aids, bilaterally, and were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. Hearing handicap, attitudes toward hearing aids and hearing loss, and motivation to address hearing problems were evaluated before and after participants wore the hearing aids. Participants were also asked if they would consider purchasing a hearing aid before and after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Results After wearing the hearing aids for 2 weeks, hearing handicap scores decreased for the participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise. No changes in hearing handicap scores were observed for the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. The participants who self-reported difficulty hearing in background noise also reported greater personal distress from their hearing problems, were more motivated to address their hearing problems, and had higher levels of hearing handicap compared to the participants who did not self-report trouble hearing in background noise. Only 20% (2/10) of the participants who self-reported trouble hearing in background noise reported that they would consider purchasing a hearing aid after 2 weeks of hearing aid use. Conclusions The use of mild-gain hearing aids has the potential to reduce hearing handicap for normal-hearing, middle-age adults who self-report difficulty hearing in background noise. However, this may not be the most appropriate treatment option for their current hearing problems given that only 20% of these participants would consider purchasing a hearing aid after wearing hearing aids for 2 weeks.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Erin C. Schafer

Children who use cochlear implants experience significant difficulty hearing speech in the presence of background noise, such as in the classroom. To address these difficulties, audiologists often recommend frequency-modulated (FM) systems for children with cochlear implants. The purpose of this article is to examine current empirical research in the area of FM systems and cochlear implants. Discussion topics will include selecting the optimal type of FM receiver, benefits of binaural FM-system input, importance of DAI receiver-gain settings, and effects of speech-processor programming on speech recognition. FM systems significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the child's ear through the use of three types of FM receivers: mounted speakers, desktop speakers, or direct-audio input (DAI). This discussion will aid audiologists in making evidence-based recommendations for children using cochlear implants and FM systems.


1967 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Miller ◽  
Arthur F. Niemoeller

Results of intelligibility tests on a single patient with a severe discrimination loss for speech are reported. The patient was tested with four different hearing aids and with no aid, and the effects of opportunity for lipreading, background noise, and reverberation were evaluated. The tests appear to allow an accurate estimate of the amount of help to be expected in various situations and show that an aid with good fidelity is clearly superior to the others tested. The destructive effects of background noise and reverberation are demonstrated separately and in combination.


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