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Reproducing ear-canal reflectance using two measurement techniques in adult ears
Kren Monrad Nørgaard1, Efren Fernandez-Grande1, Constanze Schmuck2
1Acoustic Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, Building 352, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|May 4, 2020
Summary
This study quantifies measurement uncertainty in ear-canal reflectance, a key diagnostic tool. A novel two-microphone probe method shows improved accuracy over conventional ear probes, especially with oblique insertions.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Audiology
Background:
- Ear-canal reflectance is crucial for clinical diagnostics.
- Conventional ear probe measurements have unknown uncertainty and are prone to errors like incorrect area estimation and oblique insertions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify the measurement uncertainty of conventional ear-canal reflectance techniques.
- To compare a conventional ear probe with a novel two-microphone probe method.
- To assess the impact of oblique probe insertions and explore compensation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Ear-canal reflectance was measured in an occluded-ear simulator and 54 adult ear canals.
- Two techniques were used: a conventional ear probe and a two-microphone probe separating plane waves.
- The two-microphone method does not require ear-canal cross-sectional area estimation.
Main Results:
- Reasonable agreement was observed between the two measurement techniques.
- Oblique ear probe insertions significantly influence measurements.
- Compensation for oblique insertions improved the agreement between the methods.
Conclusions:
- The two-microphone probe offers a more robust method for ear-canal reflectance measurement.
- Addressing oblique insertion errors enhances measurement accuracy.
- This research contributes to more reliable ear-canal reflectance diagnostics.
