Methods for the calibration of bone conduction transducers at frequencies from 5 to 20 kHz

Contemporary Mechanics of Conductive Hearing Loss

The middle ear plays a critical role for the conversion of acoustic energy to mechanical vibrations that subsequently enter the cochlea. It is middle ear impedance matching through ossicular coupling that has enabled land-dwelling vertebrates to hear soft airborne sounds. Conductive hearing loss may result from damage to the delicate middle ear structures following infection, trauma or rapid pressure changes. An understanding of the mechanics of the middle ear significantly improves the oto-surgeon's ability to effectively diagnose conductive hearing loss, localize the responsible lesion and then effectively correct the conduction abnormality. This article reviews some of the basic knowledge of middle ear mechanics for sound transmission, highlights recent advances in developing new techniques to assist in diagnosis of middle ear disease, and finally sheds light on future research aimed at improving the diagnosis and management of middle ear pathology.

Characterization and Clinical Use of Bone Conduction Transducers at Extended High Frequencies

Measurement of bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds at extended high frequencies (EHF; above 8 kHz) is of clinical interest but is technically complicated by limitations in standard BC transducer output, a lack of calibration standards and sparse clinical data from human subjects. A recently described calibration scheme using an artificial mastoid and interposed accelerometer is applied in this study to characterize and compare acceleration and computed force outputs over the 4-20 kHz range of two standard BC transducers: the RadioEar® B71 and B81, as well as two non-standard, commercially available BC transducers: the Tascam® HP-F200 and the Aftershokz® AS400. Measures of linear output growth, harmonic distortion and acoustic radiation are assessed and compared across devices. A maximum linear input voltage is established for each BC transducer using measurements of linear output growth and total harmonic distortion. At maximum linear input level, the Tascam shows superior force output by 25 to 40 dB above 8 kHz and the widest dynamic EHF range. Acoustic radiation per output force was lowest for the Tascam, whereas the AS400 behaved more like an air conduction earphone than a force generator. In a cohort of 15 normal hearing volunteers, BC thresholds, measured with the Tascam and reported in dB re 1 rms μN, were consistent with historical measures of EHF BC thresholds in similar subjects using an alternative BC transducer.