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Development of cartilage conduction hearing aid

Hosoi Y., Yanai S., Nishimura T., Sakaguchi T., Iwakura T., Yoshino K.

Archives of Materials Science and Engineering

2010

Vol. 42, nr 2

104-110

Purpose: The potential demand for hearing aids is increasing in accordance with aging of populations in many developed countries. Because certain patients cannot use air conduction hearing aids, they usually use bone conduction hearing aids. However, bone does not transmit sound as efficiently as air, and bone conduction hearing aids require surgery (bone anchored hearing aid) or great pressure to the skull. The first purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a new sound conduction pathway via the cartilage. The second purpose is to develop a hearing aid with a cartilage conduction transducer for patients who cannot use regular air conduction hearing aids. Design/methodology/approach: We examined the hearing ability of a patient with atresia of both external auditory meatuses via three kinds of conduction pathways (air, bone, and cartilage). After the best position for the cartilage conduction transducer was found, audiometric evaluation was performed for his left ear with an insertion earphone (air conduction), a bone conduction transducer, and a cartilage conduction transducer. Then we made a new hearing aid using cartilage conduction and got subjective data from the patients. Findings: The tragal cartilage was the best position for the cartilage conduction transducer. The patient’s mean hearing levels were 58.3 dBHL, 6.7 dBHL, and 3.3 dBHL for air conduction, bone conduction, and cartilage conduction respectively. The hearing ability of the patients obtained from the cartilage conduction hearing aid was comparable to those from the bone conduction hearing aid. Practical implications: Hearing levels using cartilage conduction are very similar to those via bone conduction. Cartilage conduction hearing aids may overcome the practical disadvantages of bone conduction hearing aids such as pain and the need for surgery. Originality/value: We have clarified the efficacy of the cartilage conduction pathway and developed a prototype ‘cartilage conduction hearing aid’, which is the first hearing aid to use sound transmission via cartilage.

Measurement by load cells of impact force which a human body receivesby external force

Ito Y., Nemoto T., Ogura T., Yamasita H., Yanai S., Matsuura H.

Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering

2008

Vol. 28, nr 1

39-42

Purpose: By development of a robotics technique, the assisted living instruments which have intelligent functions are being developed. As a result, there is a possibility that the accident to which the assisted living instrument under actuation contacts a human body may occur. The purpose of this research is for the impact force measurement system which with load cells to build, and to evaluate performance. Design/methodology/approach: The impact force measurement system was built by load cells and a data logger. Evaluation of the performance of the system was carried out to static loads and dynamic loads. Findings: By covering the sensor part of load cells with shock absorbing material, it turned out that it is possible to measure impact load simple. Moreover, as a result of comparing the characteristic of shock absorbing material, it became clear that the impact-absorbing characteristic of cell sponge and organism soft tissue is in agreement. Research limitations/implications: This research estimated the impact-absorbing characteristic of organism soft tissue for the skin, fat, muscles, etc. as a complex. Practical implications: This paper cleared that the load which a bone receives by dynamic external force can be easily measured by load cells. Originality/value: The objective of this research project was to develop the system by which impact force is measured and evaluated based on the damage which a human body receives. And we were able to complete the prototype.

Development of portable driving simulator system

Yanai S., Itoh Y., Nemoto T., Kihira M., Mastuura H.

Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering

2008

Vol. 29, nr 2

207-210

Purpose: In accordance with aging of populations in many developed countries, number of drivers who suffer from mild cognitive impairment (MCI drivers) is increasing. Since it has been reported that driving skill of the MCI drivers are deteriorated, it is important to train themselves in driving situation to preserve their driving skills. The present study was conducted to develop the simple driving simulator system, and to examine the effect of training in this system. Design/methodology/approach: Nineteen university students (8 males and 11 females) participated in this study. After the habituation period (approximately 5min), three trials (approximately 12 min) were conducted. Experimental situation imitated the real highway course. During trials, dangerous situation that would be resulted in car accident is randomly appeared and participants were required to avoid the car accidents. To avoid the possible car accidents are considered as correct response. Findings: Mean percent of correct responses for male and female were 75.2% and 56.6% in 1st trial and 95.7% and 72.6% in 3rd trial, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of sex (F (1, 14) = 7.84, p < .05) and trials (F (2, 34) = 10.19, p < .001). These results indicate that numbers of car accidents are dramatically decreased and the driving skills of male are superior to that of female. Practical implications: Although the present study revealed the differences in driving skills between the sexes, their driving history was not considered. Driving history of each participant should be examined in future study. Originality/value: Since the improvement of driving skills is revealed, our experimental design is expected as the tool for the preservation of driving skills in the MCI drivers.