We have been studying about perception mechanisms of humans, mainly audition, using various techniques; non-invasive neurophysiological measurements, psychological measurements, physioacoustical measurements, and numerical simulations. Further, we are applying knowledge and information obtained in the basic research on the perception mechanisms to developments of medical and welfare devices, optimization of audio-visual environments.

Bone-conduction has been used for not only hearing aids for the conductive hearing loss, but also various communication devices like headphones without covering ears and specialized communication tools for high-noise environments. Further, bone-conducted ultrasound up to 100 kHz can be perceived by the profoundly hearing impaired as well as the normal hearing. We are trying to elucidate the perception mechanisms of bone-conduction and apply welfare and communication devices; smartphone and microphone for high-noise environments and a novel hearing aid for the profoundly hearing impaired.

To optimize our living spaces, it is essential to assess subjective impression objectively and precisely. We are developing comfortable and value-added audio-visual environments using psychological and neurophysiological data. Further, we are developing a brain-machine interface technique to evaluate comfortableness automatically.