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Acoustics in educational settings. Subcommittee on Acoustics in Educational Settings of the Bioacoustics Standards and Noise Standards Committee American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (enacted July 26, 1990) has brought into focus the need for removing barriers and improving accessibility of all buildings and facilities. It is clear that the definition of barrier must be expanded to include not only structural features that limit physical accessibility, but also acoustical barriers that limit access to communication and information. Acoustical interference caused by inappropriate levels of background noise and reverberation presents a barrier to learning and communication in educational settings and school-sponsored extracurricular activities, particularly for students with hearing loss or other language/learning concerns. ASHA has provided these guidelines and acoustical improvement strategies in order to assist communication-related professionals, teachers, school officials, architects, contractors, state education agencies, and others in developing the best possible learning environment for all students. Additional research on both the acoustical characteristics of learning environments and the communication requirements of learners is encouraged.

Acoustics↗

[Acoustic neurinoma located exclusively in cerebellopontine angle cistern ("cisternal" acoustic neurinoma): a case report].

This is a case report of acoustic neurinoma which was located exclusively in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern and which did not extend into the internal auditory meatus ("cisternal" acoustic neurinoma). The 43-year-old female patient had signs of the left trigeminal nerve impairment including left face neuralgia. However, she did not have any neurootological symptom. No abnormal bony changes in the internal auditory meatus (IAM) were found by high-resolution bone-window CT. MRI showed a left CPA tumor of 25mm not extending into the IAM. The tumor was totally removed by the lateral suboccipital approach. It originated from the vestibular nerve medial to the porus acusticus and was located exclusively in the CPA cistern. No tumor extension into the IAM was confirmed. The cochlear nerve was involved in the tumor capsule and could not be preserved. The pathological diagnosis was that it was a neurilemmoma. Early diagnosis of "cisternal" acoustic neurinoma is difficult because it does not show neurootological symptoms in the early stage. The lateral suboccipital approach is appropriate for the removal of a "cisternal" acoustic neurinoma. However, in spite of the good preoperative hearing, the preservation of hearing is difficult because of the large tumor size.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

Scanning acoustic Doppler microscopy and scanning acoustic correlation microscopy.

Acoustic microscopy with vector contrast at 100 MHz in a fluid with immersed particles is used to detect the flow profile in front of a microscopic orifice. The velocity profile concerning the component in axial direction of the focused beam is derived from the phase contrast. Possibilities to resolve the flow profile also for the components in normal direction with respect to the axis are demonstrated. The methods concerning measurement techniques and data evaluation for scanning acoustic Doppler microscopy are presented. For scanning acoustic correlation microscopy the time dependent phase and amplitude signals resulting from sound waves scattered by the immersed particles (aluminium flakes with a typical diameter of 10 microm) have been analysed by correlation procedures. From the obtained autocorrelation functions the velocity distribution can be derived. Both methods can be applied simultaneously. Data analysis is based on the information contained in the originally obtained images in vector contrast derived from temporal and spatial resolved analogue and digital processing of the acoustic signals.

Journal Article↗

Feasibility of a phased acoustic array for monitoring acoustic signatures from meshing gear teeth.

This paper investigates the feasibility of sensing damage emanating from rotating drivetrain elements such as bearings, gear teeth, and drive shafts via airborne paths. A planar phased acoustic array is evaluated as a potential fault detection scheme for detecting spatially filtered acoustic signatures radiating from gearbox components. Specifically, the use of beam focusing and steering to monitor individual tooth mesh dynamics is analyzed taking into consideration the constraints of the array/gearbox geometry and the spectral content of typical gear noise. Experimental results for a linear array are presented to illustrate the concepts of adaptive beam steering and spatial acoustic filtering. This feasibility study indicates that the planar array can be used to track the acoustic signatures at higher harmonics of the gear mesh frequency.

Journal Article↗

Quantitative acoustical assessment of wound maturation with acoustic microscopy.

Preliminary results of the ultrasonic characterization of cutaneous wound tissue and surrounding margin, obtained with the scanning laser acoustic microscope, show an increase in the speed of sound and in the acoustic heterogeneity as function of wound age. As the wound age increased, the following results were noted: (1) The wound area, initially quite homogeneous in acoustic appearance, became more heterogeneous; (2) the acoustic appearance of the wound tended to become similar to that of the adjacent tissue; and (3) the ultrasonic velocity of the wound area increased from a range of 1540--1575 m/s at 7 days to a range of 1700--2000 m/s at 35 days.

Animals↗

Sustained potential shifts and changes in acoustic evoked potentials after presentation of a non-acoustic priming stimulus to carp (Cyprinus carpio).

1. Recordings were made from the region of the midbrain tectum and torus semicircularis of sustained potential shifts (SPS) to a non-acoustic priming stimulus and the change in subsequent acoustic evoked potentials (AEPs) to a train of six clicks after a long rest. 2. In the absence of priming stimuli (a jet of saline or water to the flank) the AEP to the first click in a train had the highest amplitude; with these stimuli it became the most attenuated. 3. The SPS to both non-acoustic stimuli was initially (ca 4 sec) negative, then became positive for a similar time period. 4. After saline jet the tectal and the torus AEP amplitude was significantly correlated with the torus SPS; after water jet, the tectal and the torus AEP durations were correlated with the SPS. 5. Application of alumina gel to the posterior telencephalic border caused elevation of the torus AEP amplitude after some 5 hr.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Acoustical and electrical biasing of the cochlea partition. Effects on the acoustic two tone distortions f2-f1 and 2f1-f2.

Low frequency acoustical biasing of the cochlear partition with 5 Hz tones produces phase correlated changes of the acoustic two-tone distortions 2f1-f2 and f2-f1. Pronounced changes of f2-f1 and only small changes of 2f1-f2 for lower bias tone levels indicate that there is a close relation between changes in the difference tone f2-f1 and changes in the operating point of the cochlear amplifier (Frank and Kössl, 1996). To further investigate this relationship, the cochlear partition was additionally biased by current injection into the scala media of the gerbil. The injection of low frequency (5 Hz) AC currents (max. 1.3 microA) has a similar effect to that caused by low frequency tones in that both produce phase correlated changes of the two distortions (so-called biasing patterns), with stronger effects on f2-f1. For bias tone levels of about 105 dB SPL and current values of 1.3 microA, the effects are approximately of the same size. A change in the f2-f1 biasing pattern that can be found for increasing bias tone levels can also be seen for increasing primary levels. Changing the setpoint of the cochlear amplifier through the injection of DC current into the scala media during acoustical biasing of the cochlear partition produces the same changes of f2-f1 biasing patterns as increasing the primary levels. This indicates that the operating point of the outer hair cells that respond to the primary tones is not only influenced by low frequency biasing stimuli but also by shifts with increasing primary levels.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

[Diagnostic intra-meatal acoustic neurinoma--the role of acoustically evoked brain stem potentials and other otoneurologic studies].

BACKGROUND: Today intracanalicular acoustic neuromas are diagnosed very early by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to test the capability of brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) for detecting these small tumors. PATIENTS: Seventeen of 91 consecutive cases with acoustic neuromas treated at our department suffered from purely intracanalicular tumors. For these 17 patients we reviewed their medical history, clinical otoneurologic examination, audiometry, auditory evoked brainstem audiometry, electronystagmography, and MRI studies. RESULTS: In 13 of 17 patients (76.5%) auditory evoked brainstem audiometry was indicative of a suspected retrocochlear lesion, whereas in 4 cases BERA did not indicate such a lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of these patients are described in detail. The role of auditory evoked brainstem audiometry and other otoneurologic test methods for detection of intracanalicular acoustic neuromas will be discussed.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗

Acoustic properties of dialysed kidney by scanning acoustic microscopy.

BACKGROUND: A correlation between acquired renal cysts in the dialysed kidney and renal cancer has long been debated, but no changes in the physical properties of kidneys at the microscopic level have been reported. The purpose of the present study was to classify the physical properties of the kidneys of patients undergoing haemodialysis at several stages of pathology by use of the scanning acoustic microscope. METHODS: Sixteen surgically excised kidneys of dialysis patients were investigated. Tissues were fixed in 10% formalin, frozen in acetone, and cut 10 microns thick on a cryostat. We used a scanning acoustic microscope operated in the frequency range of 100-200 MHz. Attenuation constant and sound speed were measured on a two-dimensional distribution. RESULTS: The attenuation constant for inflammatory granulation tissue was significantly higher than that for hyaline degeneration tissue (P < 0.001). Sound speed was high for granulation tissue, but tended to diminish gradually for hyaline degeneration. Sound speed increased again with progression to cystic degeneration (P < 0.001), but the attenuation constant remained low. When a cystic kidney contained a malignant lesion, the previously low attenuation constant rose at that site (P < 0.001), and the previously high sound speed was diminished (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the physical properties of dialysed kidneys at different stages of pathology can be classified by their acoustic properties. Simultaneous evaluation of attenuation constant and sound speed is considered applicable to determining whether tissues contain malignant elements.

Acoustics↗

Acoustic (loudspeaker) facial electromyographic monitoring: Part 1. Evoked electromyographic activity during acoustic neuroma resection.

A modification of the technique of acoustic facial electromyographic (EMG) monitoring, involving the use of a bipolar wire electrode, was used to monitor facial EMG activity during 13 consecutive unselected acoustic neuroma resections. EMG activity was synchronously recorded on the audio channels of operative video tapes so that the patterns of evoked EMG activity could be analyzed in relation to specific intraoperative events. Despite a relatively wide variety of apparent eliciting mechanisms, evoked EMG activity occurred in only three general acoustic patterns; these were bursts, trains, and pulses. These respective patterns are described in detail and related to specific etiological mechanisms. The possible clinical significance of various patterns of evoked EMG activity is discussed.

Adult↗

Diagnostic strategies in search for acoustic neuromas. Findings in 300 acoustic neuroma patients.

The diagnostic findings in 300 patients with acoustic neuromas are reported. Because of a centralized treatment of acoustic neuromas, we have a uniform work-up of all the patients, which enables us to make a non-selected comparison of the diagnostic efficiency of the various tests. Diagnostic dilemmas in patients with normal hearing, anakusis, normal auditory brainstem recordings, normal vestibular function and normal tomography of the internal acoustic meatus are discussed. In patients with hearing better than 80 dB, a normal ABR, the presence of recruitment and a normal caloric reaction can exclude the presence of a tumour, making tomography superfluous. In patients with poor hearing, the need for tomography is imperative. We perform CT if two procedures among the following produce tumour-positive results: ABR, recruitment tests, caloric test, and tomography. Those who have only one tumour-positive finding at the screening are re-examined after one year. If, even with contrast enhancement, CT proves negative, we continue to perform air CT. Only then do we know for sure whether the patient has a tumour or not. An advantage with using many tests for the same physiological function is that they complement each other, though, on the other hand this often adds to the confusion. With fewer tests, the confusion is reduced, but the requirements regarding technical quality must be very stringent. ABR, the Metz recruitment test and tomography are purely objective, while the caloric test is subjective on the part of the investigator. The Hallpike procedure, however, has stood the test of time in separating pathologic from normal.

Adolescent↗

An approach to acoustic properties of biological tissues using acoustic micrographs of attenuation constant and sound speed.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for two-dimensional measurement of acoustic properties of biological tissue elements at the microscopic level for specimens with a thickness of approximately 10 microm. METHODS: The procedure was developed on the basis of mechanically scanned acoustic microscopic techniques in the frequency range of 100 to 200 MHz and the theory of interference phenomena. Various tissues and samples were prepared to evaluate the method and to interpret sound propagation properties. RESULTS: Tissues with high protein content, low water content, or both had a high attenuation constant and sound speed. The exponent n of attenuation against frequency was almost unity at the microscopic level, whereas it was greater than unity when the specimen thickness was greater. Sound speed dispersion was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The method was shown to be reproducible, and the data were interpreted acoustically and pathologically with reference to tissue type and specimen thickness.

Acoustics↗

Acoustic signals and acoustic behaviour of Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer).

Chinese river dolphin's (Lipotes vexillifer) underwater acoustic signals can be divided into two classes, short-duration signal (pulse train or single pulses) and long-duration signal (whistle). In this paper, time waveforms of these signals are presented and the characteristics of the signals are discussed. The experimental results on this dolphin's acoustic behaviour are given. A sinusoidal pulse with duration of about 300 ms is used as the calling signal. In a certain frequency range, as soon as a calling signal is transmitted the dolphin answers with 2 or 3 whistles. The frequency range of sensitive response is from 4 to 7 KHz, in which the answering rate reaches 100%. When the dolphin's acoustic signals recorded on the tape are transmitted into the water it swims directly toward the transducer. When noise and music are transmitted the dolphin does not respond at all.

Acoustics↗

Transmission acoustic microscopy of tissue sections (1 GHz). Histoacoustics and acoustic staining.

The acoustic microstructure of mouse small intestine has been studied with a transmission acoustic microscope working at 1 GHz and the influence of the histologic processing on the microacoustic pattern has been tested. Unstained thin sections provide pictures rich in details and highly contrasted. Gelatin has been used as hydrosoluble embedding medium and has been compared to paraffin. The former embedding procedure retained the viscoelastic properties of the specimen far more and provided the most detailed pictures. Osmiun tetroxide has been used to demonstrate acoustic staining.

Animals↗

Spectral analysis and acoustic transmission of mitral and aortic valve closure sounds in dogs. Part 1. Modelling the heart/thorax acoustic system.

A system model based on the simultaneous recording and analysis of the intracardiac and thoracic phonocardiograms to estimate the time-varying properties of the heart/thorax acoustic system of the dog is described. The presence of instrumental noise in the recording of intracardiac phonocardiograms is characterised, and it is demonstrated that its effect on the estimate of the transfer and coherence functions of the system can be quantified and corrected. Application of the model to study the spectral characteristics and the acoustic transmission properties of the mitral component M1 of the first heart sound and of the aortic component A2 of the second heart sound in the dog shows that the heart/thorax acoustic system acts like a bandpass filter having a higher attenuation for A2 than for M1. Between 20 and 100 Hz, the mean attenuation of M1 is 30 dB while that of A2 is 46 dB. Above 100 Hz, the attenuation slope is -12 dB per octave for M1 and -6 dB per octave for A2.

Animals↗

Effect of nonadiabaticity of dust charge variation on dust acoustic waves: generation of dust acoustic shock waves.

The effect of nonadiabaticity of dust charge variation arising due to small nonzero values of tau(ch)/tau(d) has been studied where tau(ch) and tau(d) are the dust charging and dust hydrodynamical time scales on the nonlinear propagation of dust acoustic waves. Analytical investigation shows that the propagation of a small amplitude wave is governed by a Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) Burger equation. Notwithstanding the soliton decay, the "soliton mass" is conserved, but the dissipative term leads to the development of a noise tail. Nonadiabaticity generated dissipative effect causes the generation of a dust acoustic shock wave having oscillatory behavior on the downstream side. Numerical investigations reveal that the propagation of a large amplitude dust acoustic shock wave with dust density enhancement may occur only for Mach numbers lying between a minimum and a maximum value whose dependence on the dusty plasma parameters is presented.

Journal Article↗

A method of determining acoustical physical constants for piezoelectric materials by line-focus-beam acoustic microscopy.

We developed a new method of determining acoustical physical constants (elastic constant, piezoelectric constant, dielectric constant, and density) of piezoelectric materials with high accuracy. This method acquires velocities of leaky surface acoustic waves (LSAWs) excited on the water-loaded specimen surface, measured by line-focus-beam (LFB) acoustic microscopy, and bulk velocities of longitudinal and shear waves, measured with plane-wave transducers replacing the LFB device in the same system, together with the dielectric constants and density measured independently, for a small number of specimens. For LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals, we demonstrated that we could accurately determine the constants by choosing proper propagation directions of LSAWs and bulk waves for three principal X-, Y-, and Z-cut specimens and one rotated Y-cut specimen [(104) plate for LiNbO3 and (012) plate for LiTaOa]. The accuracy is nearly the same as that for the constants determined only from the bulk wave velocities.

Journal Article↗

Acoustic radiation of cylindrical elastic shells subjected to a point source: investigation in terms of helical acoustic rays.

The paper deals with the acoustic radiation of a cylindrical elastic shell with no internal loading surrounded by a fluid medium when its external surface is subjected to a point source. The problem is addressed via the use of the spatial Fourier transform. An expression is obtained for the radiated pressure that is evaluated for the far field using both the stationary phase method and the fast Fourier transform (FFT). The acoustic field calculated from the FFT is much more complicated than that obtained by using only the stationary phase method. In agreement with the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD), alternative interpretations of the radiated field in terms of helical acoustic rays allows one to understand the reason for this result. The outstanding phenomenon underlined by the use of the FFT is the emergence of an infinite number of spatial dispersion curves associated with each leaky wave propagating in shells when excited by a point source.

Journal Article↗