What effect results in an improvement in artificial bone conduction sensitivity?

The improvement in artificial bone conduction sensitivity is attributed to the occlusion effect. This phenomenon occurs when ear canals are occluded, often by an earplug or by using hearing aids that cover the ear canal. When the ear canal is occluded, the normal air conduction sounds that would escape are trapped, which creates an increase in the intensity of low-frequency sounds transmitted through bone conduction.

The occlusion effect particularly enhances the perception of sound by reducing the ambient noise that can interfere with the auditory stimuli reaching the inner ear through bone conduction. This is especially relevant for patients with conductive hearing loss or when assessing the effectiveness of bone-conducting devices. The occlusion effect can lead to an improvement in the audible frequencies, allowing for better assessment of hearing abilities and making the technology more effective for users.

Understanding the occlusion effect is key in both clinical evaluations and in the fitting of hearing devices, as it plays a crucial role in patient satisfaction and the overall effectiveness of auditory interventions. Hence, recognizing its influence on bone conduction is essential for those in the field of audiology.