• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.663-668
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The main objectives of this study were to determine the clinical usefulness of the program-assisted and real ear measurement (REM)-assisted fitting of hearing aids. Subjects and Method Fifteen participants with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss were enrolled in this study. Objective and subjective fitting results were assessed to compare the benefits between the program-assisted fitting (using a software fitting program) and the REM-assisted fitting. Real ear insertion gain (REIG), sound-field audiometry using warble tone, and Korean Hearing in Noise Test (K-HINT) were performed as objective tests. Sound quality rating was performed as a subjective test. Results In the program fitting, 48.89% of fitting points failed to come within ${\pm}10dB$ of the REIG target. In the REM fitting, however, the percentage of failure significantly decreased to 23.33% (p=0.013). In K-HINT test, the reception threshold for speech in quiet situation significantly decreased from 50.1 dB HL with the program fitting to 44.7 dB HL after the REM fitting (p<0.001). In front noise condition, signal-to-noise ratio improved from 4.53 dB to 3.50 dB with the REM fitting without statistical significance (p=0.099). In the sound quality rating, the REM fitting ($4.27{\pm}0.56$) showed a significantly better sound quality ratings than the program fitting ($3.69{\pm}0.74$) (p=0.017). Conclusion The REM fitting showed better results in both subjective and objective measurements than the program fitting.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.275-279
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• 2023

Throughout the 20th century, the transition of pig farms from extensive to intensive commercial operations amplified the risk of disease transmission, particularly involving African swine fever (ASF). Real-time temperature monitoring systems have emerged as essential tools for early ASF diagnosis. In this paper, we introduce new real-time temperature monitoring ear tags (RTMEs) modeled after existing ear tag designs. Our crafted Pig-Temp platforms have three primary advantages. First, they can be effortlessly attached to pig ears, ensuring superior compatibility. Second, they enable real-time temperature detection, and the data can be displayed on a personal computer or smartphone application. Furthermore, they demonstrate excellent measurement accuracy, ranging from 98.9% to 99.8% at temperatures between 2.2 and 360℃. A linear regression approach enables fever symptoms associated with ASF to be identified within 3 min using RTMEs. The communication range extends to approximately 12 m (452 m²), enabling measurements from an estimated 75 to 2,260 pigs per gateway. These newly developed Pig-Temp platforms offer singifcant enhancement of early ASF detection.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.842-849
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• 2011

The human ear canal amplifies the sound pressure level at specific frequency bands. The characteristics of the ear canal are very similar to those of curved cylindrical tube. In this study, the characteristics of sound transfer in human ear canal were measured and the acoustical space of ear canal was reproduced from the canal cavity geometry. For the measurement of sound transfer function in ear canal, a probe microphone and a reference microphone were used. The sound transfer functions were measured for 5 human subjects. To reproduce the acoustical space of the ear canal, two kinds of ear simulator were designed. The first one is a straight cylindrical tube type and the other is a real-shape ear of which geometry was taken from a micro-CT scanning of a human ear. The characteristics of the reproduced apparatus were compared with those of the human and a commercial ear simulator, RA0045 of G.R.A.S. Inc. The comparison results show that the developed apparatus well represent the ear canal characteristics in the low frequency, but have limited coincidence in level over high frequency range.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2011

This paper proposes a quasi-optimal linear DOA (Direction-of-Arrival) estimator which is necessary for the development of a real-time robot auditory system tracking moving acoustic source. It is well known that the use of conventional nonlinear filtering schemes may result in the severe performance degradation of DOA estimation and not be preferable for real-time implementation. These are mainly due to the inherent nonlinearity of the acoustic signal model used for DOA estimation. This motivates us to consider a new uncertain linear acoustic signal model based on the linear prediction relation of a noisy sinusoid. Using the suggested measurement model, it is shown that the resultant DOA estimation problem is cast into the NCRKF (Non-Conservative Robust Kalman Filtering) problem [12]. NCRKF-based DOA estimator provides reliable DOA estimates of a fast moving acoustic source in spite of using the noise-corrupted measurement matrix in the filter recursion and, as well, it is suitable for real-time implementation because of its linear recursive filter structure. The computational efficiency and DOA estimation performance of the proposed method are evaluated through the computer simulations.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2002

In this paper, a self-tuning gain-scheduled skyhook control for semi-active suspension systems is investigated. The dynamic characteristics of a continuously variable damper including electro-hydraulic pressure control valves is analyzed. A 2-d.o.f. time-varying quarter-car model that permits variations in sprung mass and suspension spring coefficient is considered. The self-tuning skyhook control algorithm proposed in this paper requires only the measurement of body acceleration. The absolute velocity of the sprung mass and the relative velocity of the suspension deflection are estimated by using integral filters. The skyhook gains are gain-scheduled in such a way that the body acceleration and the dynamic tire force are optimized. An ECU prototype is discussed. Experimental results using a 1/4-ear simulator are discussed. Also, a suspension ECU prototype targeting real implementation is provided.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 1998

To measure precisely the blood velocity in the skin microcirculation, we have used time domain correlation (called Cross-Correlation) based on the processing of the backscattered RF signal obtained with a wideband echographic imaging transducer, although it is difficulties of adaptation of the pulsed wave system, because of the data processing in real time and the hardware problem. This dedicated technology based on a 20MHz echographic imaging system has been developed. We present how the experimental data, i.e. the backscattered RF signal, have to be analyzed. After RF lines realignment, stationary echo canceling procedure and correlation level control, a velocity profile has been obtained. In-vitro result show that velocity measurements as low as 0.1mm/sec attainable with a 80${\mu}m$ in axial resolution. We have also validated with in-vivo experimentation on the external ear of a rabbit using B-mode sector scanning image and M-mode image of a custom made 20MHz skin image system. The flow of the "auriculares caudales" vein, a microvessel of 600 m diameter, has been detected and studied. This technique will allow a more precise exploration of circulatory troubles in cutaneous pathologies.