• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2019

In this paper, we propose a micro vibro tomography(MVT) method, that can be used to visualize two-dimensional cross-sectional images and micro-vibration tomographic images in real time in a non-contact and non-destructive manner. The proposed method is based on the optical coherence tomography(OCT) technique, with an additionally customized image processing algorithm. The proposed method can detect the micro-motions or vibrations in sample structures by measuring the phase shift variations in the sample structures. In this study, we show the potential capabilities of the proposed MVT system for measuring the micro-vibrations generated when sound waves in a frequency range of 2~5 kHz are applied to an $80-{\mu}m$ thick latex phantom, which mimics the changes in physical structure of the human tympanic membrane while hearing. Additionally, three-dimensional volumetric images of the MVT method were recorded to observe the surface morphological changes in the surface of the phantom sample which mimics the human tympanic membrane while hearing.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.691-692
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• 2011

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.286-293
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• 2009

The implantable middle ear hearing devices(IMEHDs) have been developed to overcome the conventional hearing aid's problem(ringing effect caused by the acoustic feedback, cosmetic problem, etc.). In the IMEHDs, the vibrating transducer is a key component because its vibration enables to hear for hearing impaired people. The vibrating transducer is implanted on ossicular chain by surgical operation. The coupling status between implanted transducer and ossicular chain has an effect on delivering vibrating force from transducer to stapes. Noninvasive method is required to investigate the output characteristics of IMEHDs after implementation. Recently, emitted sound pressure measuring method of tympanic membrane is proposed to investigate the output characteristics of IMEHDs. However, the relationship between displacement of stapes and sound pressure by tympanic membrane was not cleared. In this paper, displacement of stapes and sound pressure by tympanic membrane were measured using the differential floating mass transducer(DFMT) that implanted on the ossicular chain of the human temporal bone and physical ear model. Through the experiments results, the relationship between displacement of stapes and sound pressure by tympanic membrane was investigated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.679-680
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• 2011

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2017

The hybrid acoustic sensor for implantable hearing aid has the structure in which a sound pressure based acoustic sensor (ECM) and a vibration based acceleration sensor are combined. This sensor combines the low frequency sensitivity of an acoustic sensor with the high frequency sensitivity of an acceleration sensor, allowing the acquisition of a wide range of sound from low to high frequency. In this paper, an acceleration sensor for use in a hybrid acoustic sensor has been proposed. The acceleration sensor captures the vibration of the tympanic membrane generated by the acoustic signal. The size of the proposed acceleration sensor was determined to diameter of 3.2 mm considering the anatomical structure of the tympanic membrane and the standard of ECM. In order to make the hybrid acoustic sensor have high sensitivity and wide bandwidth characteristics, the aim of the resonance frequency of the acceleration sensor is to be generated at about 3.5 kHz. The membrane of the acceleration sensor derives geometric structure through mathematical model and finite element analysis. Based on the analysis results, the membrane was implemented through a chemical etching process. In order to verify the frequency characteristics of the implemented membrane, vibration measurement experiment using external force was performed. The experiment results showed mechanical resonance of the membrane occurred at 3.4 kHz. Therefore, it is considered that the proposed acceleration sensor can be utilized for a hybrid acoustic sensor.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.167-179
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• 1999

The hearing mechanism is a complicated system. Sound is generated by a source that sends out air pressure or power. The pressure or power makes the sound waves. These waves reach the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, which vibrates at a rate and magnitude proportional to the nature of the sound waves. The tympanic membrane transforms this vibration into the mechanical energy in the middle ear, which in turn converts it to the hydraulic energy in the fluid of the inner ear. The hydraulic energy stimulates the sensory cells of the inner ear which send neuroelectrical impulses to the central auditory nervous system. The passive perception of auditory information starts just here. The listener gives attention to the speech sound, differentiates the sound from background noise, and integrates his experience with similar sounds. The listener then puts all of these aspects of audition into the context of the moment to identify the nature of sound. This has a major role in human communication. This paper provides an overview of the nature and characteristics of sound, the structure and function of the auditory system, and the way in which sound is processed by the auditory system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.883-888
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• 2004

One of commercial rapid transits produces peculiar booming sound when passing through the slab-track tunnel. In order to analyze that tympanic membrane-pressing noise systematically, typical source-transfer path-response analysis was carried out. Considering the octave band of booming noise, work scope was confined to structure-borne noise analysis, especially the dynamic behaviour of railway tracks. Experimental modal analysis of railway tracks, composed of rail, rubber pad, sleeper, ballast, and ground were performed. The results shows that transversal bending modes of the rail are suspicious for the cause of the low band booming noise. Finite element analysis are made use of to match preceding experimental results, and plausible dynamic properties of track components are produced.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2013

Individual differences in head-related transfer functions(HRTFs) were calculated using boundary element(BE) models for three Korean adults. The BE models for the individuals were developed from the computerized tomography(CT) images of the individuals. The BE models were composed of the head, pinna, and ear canal. The frequency-dependent impedance boundary conditions were imposed on the skin, hair, and tympanic membrane. The HRTFs calculated from the individual BE models showed large difference above 2 kHz in magnitude and in the locations of peaks and valleys of the frequency spectrums, which should be considered in virtual auditory sound field. The identified individual differences in the HRTFs demonstrate that the developed BE models can be utilized successfully in order to obtain the HRTFs information of individuals.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2009

Generally, implantable microphone has been implanted in the temporal bone for implantable middle ear hearing devices (IMEHDs). In this case, the microphone's membrane can be damaged and can be generated biological noise. In order to overcome the these problems, the location of implanted microphone should be changed. As an alternative, the microphone can be implanted in the external auditory canal. However, the sound emission can be produced because of vibration transducer toward reverse direction from the tympanic membrane to the external auditory canal. In this paper, an amount of the emitted sound is measured using a probe microphone as the changing the position of microphone in the external auditory canal of a physical ear model, which is similar to acoustical and vibratory properties of the human ear. Through the measured value, the location of the microphone was assumed in the external auditory canal. According to the analysis, the microphone input sound can be decreased when microphone position become more distance from the tympanic membrane in the auditory canal. However, the external auditory canal is not appropriated to implantable microphone position, because sound emission is not completely eliminated.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.183-187
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• 2018

In this paper, we investigated the efficiency according to the output transmission method of the round window driving type AMEIs (active middle ear implants) through the cadaveric experiment. For the experiment, we fabricated DRT (direct rod transducer) and FMT (floating mass transducer) type vibrational transducers based on our previous studies and conducted their output characteristics were measured. TCBT (tri-coil bellows transducer) and DFMT (differential floating mass transducer) were implemented with the same driving force and electrical characteristics as one of DRT and FMT, respectively. In the experiment using three human temporal bone, normal stapes vibration was measured with 1 Pa in front of tympanic membrane, and then was compared with each output of transducers. From the comparison, the DRT type vibration transducer was superior in overall energy transfer efficiency, especially in the low frequency range. There was no difference in implantation difficulty between the two transducers. The results of this study suggest that the DRT type vibrational transducer is more efficient and needs further study to overcome the low frequency degradation in round window approaching with FMT.