1981 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 524-527
The efficacy of a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator was evaluated by measurement with the auditory-evoked brain stem response and capacitive probe. The tip of the vibrator was attached to the head of the stapes and the base was fixed to the bony wall of the middle ear. The auditory brain stem responses were recorded in 5 cats by applying electrical signals to the vibrator. Input-output functions of the responses were the same as those evoked by auditory stimuli. Applying 1 Vp-p electrical signals, outputs of the vibrator were about 90 dB SPL at 4000 Hz, 83 dB SPL at 2000 Hz and 75 dB SPL at 1000 and 500 Hz.
The vibrator had good linearity from 35 to 90 dB SPL at 4000 Hz. These results obtained from the auditory brain stem response agreed well with those from capacitive probe.
The characteristics of the piezoelectric ceramic vibrator were sufficient for the implantable hearing aid.
