Basic perception and propagation characteristics of bone-conducted sounds presented to facial parts

Abstract In conventional bone conduction (BC) devices, a vibrator is typically applied to the mastoid or condyle processes. Recently, however, BC-sound presentations facial parts such as nose have also been investigated. As face among most complex structures in human body, BC sounds presented are likely show different perception and propagation characteristics from those parts. We measured hearing thresholds, ear canal sound pressures both ears, head vibrations at processes when were (nasal, infraorbital region, zygomatic, jaw angle, chin) (mastoid forehead) of normal-hearing subjects. The results indicated that process had similar threshold characteristics. By changing stimulus on face, thresholds did not change, whereas amplitudes each component changed significantly.