Analysis of the factors influencing the response of the skin to audio signals / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

Skin-hearing aid is a new type of electronic product, which can improve hearing for deaf patients. It is different from audiphones and cochlear implant. The instrument makes use of the effect of the skin response to audio signals. The working process of the instrument is as following. Firstly, the sound signal is converted to audio signal by microphone, then through the power amplifier and booster. Then the signal is transmitted to the brain via skin by electrodes. And finally the hearing is formed. As skin-hearing aid transmits signals through the skin by the electrodes, the intensity of the skin resistance becomes the main factor influencing the response of the skin to audio signal. Skin resistance depends mainly upon the stratum corneum. This article aims to discuss the factors affecting the skin resistance, such as the thickness of the stratum corneum, hydration level of stratum corneum, the relation of audio frequency and skin resistance, and the skin resistance of acupuncture points.