A Calibration Procedure for the Assessment of Thresholds above 8000 Hz

1982 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia G. Stelmacttowicz ◽  
Michael P. Gorga ◽  
John K. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Potential Application ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Calibration Procedure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Tympanic Membranes

A technique is described to estimate the sound pressure level developed by a broad frequency response transducer at the tympanic membrane. Real-ear probe tube measurements near the tympanic membranes of 10 subjects were used to obtain frequency-dependent correction values for a custom-designed flat-plate coupler. These latter measures can be used tot routine calibration of the transducer. Audiometric thresholds from 250 to 16000 Hz were obtained on 14 children (5–18 years).Threshold estimates were found to be comparable to previouslv reported values. Potential application and limitations of this technique are discussed.

scholarly journals Impulse Noise: Can Hitting a Softball Harm Your Hearing?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Korrine Cook ◽  
Samuel R. Atcherson
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Frequency Response ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Impulse Noise ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Noise Floor ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Multiple Exposures ◽  
Amplitude Frequency Response

The purpose of this study is to identify whether or not different materials of softball bats (wooden, aluminum, and composite) are a potential risk harm to hearing when batting players strike a 12′′ core .40 softball during slow, underhand pitch typical of recreational games. Peak sound pressure level measurements and spectral analyses were conducted for three controlled softball pitches to a batting participant using each of the different bat materials in an unused outdoor playing field with regulation distances between the pitcher’s mound and batter’s box. The results revealed that highest recorded peak sound pressure level was recorded from the aluminum (124.6 dBC) bat followed by the composite (121.2 dBC) and wooden (120.0 dBC) bats. Spectral analysis revealed composite and wooden bats with similar broadly distributed amplitude-frequency response. The aluminum bat also produced a broadly distributed amplitude-frequency response, but there were also two very distinct peaks at around 1700 Hz and 2260 Hz above the noise floor that produced its ringing (or ping) sound after being struck. Impulse (transient) sounds less than 140 dBC may permit multiple exposures, and softball bats used in a recreational slow pitch may pose little to no risk to hearing.

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 Analysis and Development of Hybrid Earphone Combining Balanced-Armature and Dynamic Receivers

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (23) ◽  
pp. 5047
Author(s):  
Yuan-Wu Jiang ◽  
Dan-Ping Xu ◽  
Zhi-Xiong Jiang ◽  
Jun-Hyung Kim ◽  
Sang-Moon Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Rapid Progress ◽  
Audio Output

With the rapid progress in the development of multimedia devices, earphones have become increasingly important as audio output tools. Hybrid earphones combining balanced-armature (BA) and dynamic receivers can produce better performance over a wider range when compared to the earphones with BA receiver alone (BA earphones) or dynamic receiver alone (dynamic earphones). BA and dynamic earphones are multi-physics products that exhibit coupling between the electromagnetic, mechanical, and acoustic domains. In this study, an analysis tool is developed to design a hybrid earphone based on the conventional BA and dynamic earphones. Using the developed analysis tool, an acoustic tube is optimized to match the earphone target curve and obtain improved sound quality. A prototype is manufactured and tested, and the experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed analysis tool. The root-mean-square value of the sound pressure level (SPL) deviation of the hybrid earphone with the optimized acoustic tube is 4.60, whereas those for the dynamic and BA earphones are 8.94 and 6.04, respectively. Thus, it is verified that the frequency response is improved using the hybrid earphone developed herein.

Acoustic Enhancement of the Rate of Heat Transfer Over a Flat Plate-An Experimental Investigation

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Preston ◽  
W. S. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Resonant Frequency ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Copper Plate ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Waves

Increasing the rate of heat transfer can improve product quality and lower energy cost for many energy systems. Pulsating fluid flow has been used to increase the rate of heat transfer in some situations. Specifically, sound waves below the audible limit, termed infrasound, have been used to increase the rate of heat transfer from small-diameter wire rods. This study examined the effects of infrasound on the rate of heat transfer from a flat plate. A standing sound wave is formed in the neck of a Helmholtz resonator and may be enhanced by producing sound waves at the resonant frequency at or near the neck of the resonator. In this study, a standing wave of infrasound was produced in a rectangular channel by two loudspeakers driven sinusoidally by a function generator at the resonant frequency of the system. The top of the channel was formed by a copper plate maintained at a constant temperature. Thermocouples placed along the centerline of the channel measured the temperature of the air inside the channel and heat flux gages mounted on the inside surface of the copper plate were used to measure the local rate of heat transfer from the plate to the air inside the channel. Air flow inside the channel was produced by a centrifugal blower and varied by an inlet damper. The use of infrasound increased the rate of heat transfer by approximately an order of magnitude when compared to natural convection. Infrasonic enhancement of the rate of heat transfer over a two-dimensional region in forced convection was more effective in the laminar flow regime, for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter between zero and 10,000. Typically for laminar flow, infrasound increased the rate of heat transfer up to five times the rate of heat transfer without infrasound. For turbulent air flow, however, the increase of the rate of heat transfer was almost negligible. The effect of infrasound on the rate of heat transfer was shown to depend on the air velocity inside the channel, the hydraulic diameter of the channel, and the sound pressure level inside the channel. The temperature of the copper plate over the limited range tested did not significantly affect the heat transfer coefficient. The speakers used were limited to a maximum sound pressure level of 121 dB, while infrasonic generators are capable of producing sound pressure levels over 170 dB.

Microphone Sensitivity as a Source of Variation in Nasalance Scores

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1228-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Zajac ◽  
Richard Lutz ◽  
Robert Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Stimulus Frequency ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Signal Source ◽  
Function Generator ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Frequency Response Characteristics

A two-part study was conducted to determine the sources of variation in nasalance scores derived from the Nasometer. In Study #1, a function generator was used as a signal source to calibrate and input sine and square waves directly into the Nasometer. Ten stimuli ranging from 105 to 330 Hz in 25 Hz increments were evaluated. In Study #2, the same signal source and an amplified loudspeaker were used to calibrate and present square waves to the Nasometer via five different sets of microphones. The sound pressure level of all stimuli was maintained at 88 dB. Each microphone set was calibrated using the 105 Hz signals. Results from Study #1 indicated consistent nasalance scores across all frequencies (i.e., all scores were within 2% of calibration). Results from Study #2 demonstrated deviations greater than 2% from calibration as a function of frequency for all five sets of microphones. The smallest deviation was 5%, whereas the largest deviation was 14%. We suggest that the variation in nasalance as a function of stimulus frequency may be due to a mismatch in the sensitivity of microphones (i.e., different frequency response characteristics). It is further suggested (a) that individual investigators determine the response characteristics of their microphones and (b) that relatively small variations in nasalance scores (i.e., 5–14%) either within or across speakers be interpreted with caution.

scholarly journals Construction of a Test Chamber for Human Infrasound Exposure

1982 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Møller
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Test Chamber ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Infrasound Signal ◽  
Flat Frequency Response ◽  
Harmonic Distortions ◽  
Air Exchange

The report describes the construction of an infrasound test chamber, in which subjects can be exposed to controlled infrasound signals. The infrasound is produced by 16 electrodynamic loudspeakers, mounted in one wall of the 16 m3 chamber. The maximum sound pressure level that can be obtained is 125 dB rms in the frequency range 0.05 Hz–30 Hz. At a level of 120 dB the 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortions are below 1%. The system does not utilize any acoustical resonances, thus giving a flat frequency response. In this way it is possible to reproduce a real environmental infrasound signal recorded on tape. For the purpose of experiments of longer duration, the room is equipped with a ventilating system, which gives sufficient air exchange for 3 persons. When in use, this system increases the lower limiting frequency to 0.3 Hz.

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