title: Computing interaural differences through finite element modeling of idealized human heads.
abstract: Acoustical interaural differences were computed for a succession of idealized shapes approximating the human head-related anatomy: sphere, ellipsoid, and ellipsoid with neck and torso. Calculations were done as a function of frequency (100-2500 Hz) and for source azimuths from 10 to 90 degrees using finite element models. The computations were compared to free-field measurements made with a manikin. Compared to a spherical head, the ellipsoid produced greater large-scale variation with frequency in both interaural time differences and interaural level differences, resulting in better agreement with the measurements. Adding a torso, represented either as a large plate or as a rectangular box below the neck, further improved the agreement by adding smaller-scale frequency variation. The comparisons permitted conjectures about the relationship between details of interaural differences and gross features of the human anatomy, such as the height of the head, and length of the neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, 428 South Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Tingli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, 1026 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rakerd
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010898:Pitch Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013017:Sound Localization / Q000502:physiology*; D060726:Torso / Q000033:anatomy & histology