D-0103838-B – 2019/05
Page
1
of
6
Quick Guide
SKS10 skull simulator
Introduction
This Quick Guide is intended to provide guidelines on how to use the Interacoustics SKS10 Skull Simulator for
bone anchored hearing devices.
Background information
How do bone anchored systems work?
Bone anchored hearing systems transfer sound to the cochlea via direct bone conduction, bypassing the outer
and middle ear. This is similar to the way that sound is transmitted to the inner ear when conducting bone
conduction audiometry. With bone-anchored hearing devices, however, it is direct bone conduction; that is, the
vibrations do not have to pass through the skin. They are sent directly to the cochlea via the bones of the skull.
Therefore, the way that sound is conducted to the inner ear is completely different compared to traditional air
conduction hearing aids. With air conduction hearing aids, the output of the hearing aid is measured in dB SPL
(sound pressure level). With bone anchored devices, the output needs to be measured as output force level, in
dB µN (micro Newton).
Images courtesy of Oticon Medical. www.oticonmedical.com
What is a skull simulator?
Similar to a 2cc coupler used with traditional air conduction hearing aids, the skull simulator is a coupler on
which bone anchored hearing devices can be attached. It will convert the force output of the bone-anchored
device to an electrical signal. With this new device, end users will be able to perform measurements on bone
anchored hearing devices and evaluate if they are functioning as expected or not.
