An electroacoustical analog for estimating sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane at high frequencies.

2009 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 2720-2720
Author(s):  
Janice L. LoPresti ◽  
Karrie Recker ◽  
Tao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
High Frequencies

R-weighting provides better estimation for rat hearing sensitivity

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Böjrk ◽  
T. Nevalainen ◽  
M. Hakumäki ◽  
H.-M. Voipio
Keyword(s):  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Sound Studies ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Sound Levels

Since sounds may induce physiological and behavioural changes in animals, it is necessary to assess and define the acoustic environment in laboratory animal facilities. Sound studies usually express sound levels as unweighted linear sound pressure levels. However, because a linear scale does not take account of hearing sensitivity-which may differ widely both between and within species at various frequencies-the results may be spurious. In this study a novel sound pressure level weighting for rats, R-weighting, was calculated according to a rat's hearing sensitivity. The sound level of a white noise signal was assessed using R-weighting, with H-weighting tailored for humans, A-weighting and linear sound pressure level combined with the response curves of two different loudspeakers. The sound signal resulted in different sound levels depending on the weighting and the type of loudspeaker. With a tweeter speaker reproducing sounds at high frequencies audible to a rat, R- and A-weightings gave similar results, but the H-weighted sound levels were lower. With a middle-range loudspeaker, unable to reproduce high frequencies, R-weighted sound showed the lowest sound levels. In conclusion, without a correct weighting system and proper equipment, the final sound level of an exposure stimulus can differ by several decibels from that intended. To achieve reliable and comparable results, standardization of sound experiments and assessment of the environment in animal facilities is a necessity. Hence, the use of appropriate species-specific sound pressure level weighting is essential. R-weighting for rats in sound studies is recommended.

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.

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.

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.

Case study: Theoretical calculation model and variable condition analysis research on the water-splashing noise for natural draft wet cooling towers

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145
Author(s):  
Yang Zhouo ◽  
Ming Gao ◽  
Suoying He ◽  
Yuetao Shi ◽  
Fengzhong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Water Droplet ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Calculation Model ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Cooling Towers

Based on the basic theory of water droplets impact noise, the generation mechanism and calculation model of the water-splashing noise for natural draft wet cooling towers were established in this study, and then by means of the custom software, the water-splashing noise was studied under different water droplet diameters and water-spraying densities as well as partition water distribution patterns conditions. Comparedwith the water-splashing noise of the field test, the average difference of the theoretical and the measured value is 0.82 dB, which validates the accuracy of the established theoretical model. The results based on theoretical model showed that, when the water droplet diameters are smaller in cooling tower, the attenuation of total sound pressure level of the water-splashing noise is greater. From 0 m to 8 m away from the cooling tower, the sound pressure level of the watersplashing noise of 3 mm and 6 mm water droplets decreases by 8.20 dB and 4.36 dB, respectively. Additionally, when the water-spraying density becomes twice of the designed value, the sound pressure level of water-splashing noise all increases by 3.01 dB for the cooling towers of 300 MW, 600 MW and 1000 MW units. Finally, under the partition water distribution patterns, the change of the sound pressure level is small. For the R s/2 and Rs/3 partition radius (Rs is the radius of water-spraying area), when the water-spraying density ratio between the outer and inner zone increases from 1 to 3, the sound pressure level of water-splashing noise increases by 0.7 dB and 0.3 dB, respectively.

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