Numerical simulation of bone conduction in the human head with open and occluded ears

The context of the project is fundamental research on human hearing, which has the overarching goal to improve hearing protector devices and hearing aids. The aim of the project is to predict the increased perception of physiological sounds such as one’s own voice due to a blocking of the earcanal using numerical simulations. This is challenging due to the different pathways included in the transmission of the sounds through the bones and soft tissues towards the inner ear. To account for this complexity, different models from the Canadian and German laboratories are combined. A better understanding of the problem will contribute to the improvement of hearing protector devices to be more comfortable, and thus reduce the occurrence of deafness among workers. Furthermore, the knowledge gained in this research project will help with the design of acoustically transparent hearing aids, so the acceptance by their users is improved.

Faculty Supervisor:

Olivier Doutres

Student:

Partner:

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program: