Biomaterial Database

Binaural directivity patterns for normal and aided human hearing. 2011

Ville P Sivonen

Department of Signal Processing and Acoustics, School of Science and Technology, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland. ville.sivonen@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE The aim of this brief report was to investigate binaural directivity patterns for normal and aided hearing, as opposed to conventional monaural measures. METHODS Head-related transfer functions for an artificial head measured at the entrance to the ear canal and above the pinnae and a binaural loudness model for directional sounds were used to estimate binaural directivity patterns for normal human hearing and behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing devices in the horizontal plane. RESULTS The results show that binaural directivity patterns are smoother than the corresponding monaural patterns, and that there are clear frequency-dependent differences in binaural directivity between the two measurement positions. CONCLUSIONS The data can be used in the signal processing of BTE hearing aid systems to mimic the binaural directivity of normal, unoccluded ears.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008144	Loudness Perception	The perceived attribute of a sound which corresponds to the physical attribute of intensity.	Loudness Perceptions,Perception, Loudness,Perceptions, Loudness
D008953	Models, Anatomic	Three-dimensional representation to show anatomic structures. Models may be used in place of intact animals or organisms for teaching, practice, and study.	Anatomic Models,Models, Surgical,Moulages,Models, Anatomical,Anatomic Model,Anatomical Model,Anatomical Models,Model, Anatomic,Model, Anatomical,Model, Surgical,Moulage,Surgical Model,Surgical Models
D003054	Cochlear Implants	Electronic hearing devices typically used for patients with normal outer and middle ear function, but defective inner ear function. In the COCHLEA, the hair cells (HAIR CELLS, VESTIBULAR) may be absent or damaged but there are residual nerve fibers. The device electrically stimulates the COCHLEAR NERVE to create sound sensation.	Auditory Prosthesis,Cochlear Prosthesis,Implants, Cochlear,Auditory Prostheses,Cochlear Implant,Cochlear Prostheses,Implant, Cochlear,Prostheses, Auditory,Prostheses, Cochlear,Prosthesis, Auditory,Prosthesis, Cochlear
D004424	Ear Canal	The narrow passage way that conducts the sound collected by the EAR AURICLE to the TYMPANIC MEMBRANE.	Auditory Canal, External,External Acoustic Canal,External Acoustic Meatus,External Auditory Canal,External Ear Canal,Acoustic Canal, External,Acoustic Canals, External,Acoustic Meatus, External,Auditory Canals, External,Canal, Ear,Canal, External Ear,Canals, Ear,Canals, External Ear,Ear Canal, External,Ear Canals,Ear Canals, External,External Acoustic Canals,External Auditory Canals,External Ear Canals
D006309	Hearing	The ability or act of sensing and transducing ACOUSTIC STIMULATION to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. It is also called audition.	Audition
D006310	Hearing Aids	Wearable sound-amplifying devices that are intended to compensate for impaired hearing. These generic devices include air-conduction hearing aids and bone-conduction hearing aids. (UMDNS, 1999)	Ear Molds, Hearing Aid,Aid, Hearing,Aids, Hearing,Hearing Aid
D006311	Hearing Disorders	Conditions that impair the transmission of auditory impulses and information from the level of the ear to the temporal cortices, including the sensorineural pathways.	Distorted Hearing,Dysacusis,Paracousis,Paracusis,Hearing Disorder,Hearing, Distorted
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000161	Acoustic Stimulation	Use of sound to elicit a response in the nervous system.	Auditory Stimulation,Stimulation, Acoustic,Stimulation, Auditory
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm