Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
14:23
Design and Optimization Strategies of a High-Performance Vented Box
Published on: June 9, 2023
Real-world performance of a reverse-horn vent
Francis Kuk1, Denise Keenan, Chi-Chuen Lau
1Widex Office of Research in Clinical Amplification, Widex Hearing Aid Company, Lisle, IL 60532, USA. Fkuk@widexmail.com
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|March 7, 2006
Summary
A novel reverse horn vent in completely-in-the-canal hearing aids reduced the occlusion effect compared to standard vents. This design may enhance custom hearing aid performance by increasing effective vent diameter.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Aid Technology
- Acoustics
Background:
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids offer cosmetic advantages but can cause occlusion.
- Vent design significantly impacts CIC hearing aid acoustics and user experience.
- Conventional CIC vents may not adequately address occlusion or provide optimal acoustic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the subjective and objective performance of CIC hearing aids with a novel reverse horn vent versus conventional uniform vents.
- To evaluate the impact of vent design on occlusion effect, feedback, and speech intelligibility.
Main Methods:
- Nine participants with high-frequency hearing loss were fitted with CIC hearing aids.
- Testing included unaided thresholds, feedback gain, speech in quiet and noise (HINT), occlusion effect measures, and real-ear aided response.
- Two vent types were compared: a uniform 1.5 mm parallel vent and a reverse horn vent (1.5 mm to 3 mm diameter).
Main Results:
- The reverse horn vent demonstrated less available gain before feedback compared to the uniform vent.
- Subjective and objective measures indicated a reduced occlusion effect with the reverse horn vent.
- Real-ear aided response and speech intelligibility measures were also assessed.
Conclusions:
- The reverse horn vent design in CIC hearing aids effectively reduces the occlusion effect.
- This vent configuration may be beneficial for increasing the effective vent diameter in custom hearing aids.
- Further research could explore the broader application of reverse horn vents in various custom hearing aid styles.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Bernoulli's Principle: Applications
There are many devices and situations in which fluid flows at a constant height and so can be analyzed using Bernoulli's principle. These devices include, but are not limited to, entrainment devices and fluid flow measuring devices.
Entrainment devices use a high fluid speed to create low pressures and, thus, entrain one fluid into another. Some examples of these devices are given below:
Entrainment devices use a high fluid speed to create low pressures and, thus, entrain one fluid into another. Some examples of these devices are given below:
01:26General External Flow Characteristics
The study of external flow is essential for creating structures and objects that interact efficiently and safely with moving fluids, such as air or water. When a body is immersed in a flowing fluid, it experiences two primary forces: drag, which opposes motion along the flow direction, and lift, which acts perpendicular to the flow. The shape, size, and orientation of the object influence these forces.Streamlined and Blunt Bodies in External FlowObjects in fluid flow are classified as...
01:20Cavity Drainage and Flashings in Masonry walls
Typically, a cavity wall consists of two wythes separated by a gap of at least 2 inches, which may contain insulation while still maintaining a minimum clear space of 1 inch to facilitate adequate drainage. Advanced methods like the insertion of a continuous drainage mat can further reduce this space while ensuring effective moisture expulsion.
Weep holes, strategically placed at the base of the cavity, are critical for draining accumulated water. These openings are created by leaving head...
Weep holes, strategically placed at the base of the cavity, are critical for draining accumulated water. These openings are created by leaving head...
01:27Laminar Flow
Laminar flow represents a smooth, orderly fluid motion where particles move along parallel paths, resulting in minimal mixing between layers. Streamlined particle paths characterize this flow regime and occur under conditions where viscous forces dominate over inertial forces. The distinction between laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow is primarily determined by the Reynolds number, a dimensionless quantity calculated as:
01:22Thermal Insulation in Masonry Walls
In hot, dry climates, the thermal mass of masonry walls can be beneficial, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, thereby stabilizing indoor temperatures. However, in most other climates, additional insulation is necessary to enhance thermal resistance.
External insulation can be applied using an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), which involves affixing panels of plastic foam to the wall and covering them with a polymeric stucco reinforced with glass fiber mesh.
External insulation can be applied using an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), which involves affixing panels of plastic foam to the wall and covering them with a polymeric stucco reinforced with glass fiber mesh.
01:24Single Pipe Systems
In pipe flow analysis, problems are typically categorized into three types — Type I, Type II, and Type III — based on the known parameters and the desired outcome. Each type of problem addresses specific engineering requirements using fluid properties, pipe characteristics, and operational conditions.
In a Type I problem, fluid properties (density and viscosity), pipe characteristics (including diameter, length, and surface roughness), and the flow rate or average velocity are known. The...
In a Type I problem, fluid properties (density and viscosity), pipe characteristics (including diameter, length, and surface roughness), and the flow rate or average velocity are known. The...