Accession Number:

AD0744911

Title:

A Search for the Electrophonic Phenomena in the Microwatt Power Domain

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Johnson, Patrick W.

Report Date:

1971-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

53.0

Abstract:

The physiological sensation of hearing can be stimulated by an alternating current applied to the head using small electrodes. The major disadvantages of systems of this type have been the large magnitude of driving voltage required, approx. 100 to 4000 volts, and the magnitude of power dissipated in the head, approx. 1 watt. The objectives of the paper were to investigate the basic phenomena and to attempt to find a low power method for production. Previous successful experiments were reproduced during the basic investigation phase. Selected combinations of signal types and electrodes were then tested. An extremely low power mode of operation was found and documented. Threshold values for a single tone were found to be in the order of 10 microampere at 10 microwatt making an extremely small low cost hearing aid a possible application.

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRODES
• *HEARING
• *AUDITORY NERVE
• STIMULATION(PHYSIOLOGY)
• PHYSIOLOGY
• AUDITORY PERCEPTION
• PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
• EAR
• THRESHOLDS(PHYSIOLOGY)
• THESES

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE