Contribution
Physical Mechanisms Underlying the Occlusion Effect
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Blocking the ear canal with devices such as earplugs or hearing aids leads to an increased low-frequency perception of bone-conducted sounds and alterations of one’s own voice perception. This phenomenon, denoted as occlusion effect, contributes to discomfort when wearing earplugs and reduces the acceptance of hearing aids. Despite being recognized for over a century, the growing use of hearing devices and headphones as well as the increased awareness for hearing protection have highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the occlusion effect to enhance technical and practical solutions for its reduction.This talk provides an overview of recent research on the physical mechanisms underlying the occlusion effect and its perception. Emphasis will be placed on finite element simulations to model the complex three-dimensional vibroacoustic interactions involved in bone conduction, alongside circuit models to capture key mechanisms. Relating these findings to current reduction approaches – such as vents, open fittings, sound-absorbing earplugs, earmold designs, and cancellation algorithms – highlights both their effectiveness and remaining challenges, while pointing towards promising directions for further improvements.