Possibility of binaural production by means of bone conduction actuators

A pair of bone conduction actuators is used for music reproduction as replacement of headphone. Because of strong inter-aural coupling, it is though the stereophonic reproduction is not easy to realize by bone conduction actuators. Haim Sohmera, et al. 2000, reported that “there is no need to vibrate bone in order to obtain 'bone conduction' response.” They have shown a fluid pathway from bone to ear. The coupling between left and right side stimuli by bone conduction actuators set at head-of-mandible or mastoid is occurred not only due to bone but also fluid. On the other hand, when we are listening the music by bone conduction actuators, we can enjoy the some extent of special image, at least some extend of lateralization. The authors are examined the possibility of binaural production by means of inter-aural time and intensity trading using a pair of bone conduction actuators. Results of psycho-acoustical experiment indicate that the trading phenomenon between time and intensity is observed around 1000 Hz even if the results are not stable.