Article
Assessment of the Directional Characteristics of the Ear Canal Using 3D Printed Replicas on an Artificial Head (en)
* Presenting author
Abstract:
In modern literature it is generally assumed that ear canals have little to no effect on the directional components of head-related transfer functions and thus, on spatial perception of sound. Therefore, in most spatial audio applications today, sound propagation is only considered up to the blocked entrance of the ear canal. To challenge this assumption, a study was conducted using custom-made 3D printed replicas of 10 pairs of human outer ears including complete ear canals with microphones embedded at the eardrum position. These replicas, mounted on an artificial head which was placed in an anechoic chamber, allowed for highly precise acquisition of head-related transfer functions both at the eardrum and at the blocked entrance of the ear canal. The results are processed to assess the effect of the direction of arrival on ear canal transmission. Study findings are compared to and contrasted against previous studies carried out on real human ears.