Influence of bone conduction transducers position and constraint on propagation to the ear

Solid-state transducers are nowadays integrated in communication headsets that open the way to a new category of headsets that are of interest in both military and civil applications. Sounds are stimulated to the inner ear directly through the bones and cartilage of the skull. The main advantage of this technology is to offer the user the possibility to have the ear clear to remain alert to his environment or to use earplugs with a high level of protection while continuing to communicate via a radio system. Different types of transducers are used in a measurement protocol to determine the influence of the bearing force and position of the transducer on the propagation from the skin to the reception by a listener. The measurement setup includes laser vibrometry measurements on the skin and solid-state hearing threshold measurements.