One of the most recent challenges faced worldwide is the so-called “ageing population” phenomenon. Besides the disabilities and illnesses that the elderly is prone to, traumatic brain injuries represent a common and potentially fatal factor that greatly affects this population. Other subjects are however also likely to experience traumatic brain injuries i.e. people affected by some kinds of diseases and disorders such as epilepsy and dementia that are known to have a high risk of falling. Furthermore, sports accidents can also lead to traumatic brain injuries, for example cycling. Current solutions and devices for head injury prevention are limited and from a design point of view there is space for improvements. The focus of this master thesis is to model an innovative headband meant to be worn around the scalp during various daily life activities and in multiple situations. Its function is to prevent the wearer from traumatic brain injuries. The headband model is a finite element model, created in LS-PrePost. Subsequently, simulations are performed in LS-Dyna to replicate real life head impact scenarios. Different parameters and features of both the impacting condition and the headband are tested for creating the optimal headband structure for head injury prevention.

It is estimated that approximately 360 Million people have a permanent disabling hearing loss (WHO, 2015). The majority of these people live in lower to middle income countries, where screening and follow-up treatment is not always accessible (WHO, 2015). School based hearing screening is one of the procedures that are not always available due to a number of challenges one of which include the high cost of audiometrical headphones. School based hearing screening is performed with an audiometrical headphones and audiometer, it usually can be used to test all school-aged children and adults. In an attempt to reduce the cost of school based hearing screening, this study evaluated the Sennheiser HD 202 II headphone to establish it as a widely available and cost-effective alternative for audiometrical headphones currently used. The headphones were compared to ISO standards (ISO 389-1, ISO 389-5 and ISO 389-9) and IEC standards (IEC 60318-1 and IEC 60645-1). The following characteristics of the headphone were compared: equivalent threshold sound pressure levels, attenuation, maximum permissible ambient noise levels, force of the headband, total harmonic distortion and frequency response. After evaluation the Sennheiser HD 202 II does not show the same standard as audiometrical headphones for diagnostic testing. The headphone can however be used for screening purposes if a few measures are taken into account. The correct ETSPL values should be used, disruptive background noise should be avoided and only the frequencies from the research (250- 1600 Hz) can be tested. once these measures are taken into account the Sennheiser HD 202 II proves to be a cost-effective alternative headphone for screening purposes. / Dissertation (M Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / M Communication Pathology / Unrestricted

Text in English / Ancient Egyptian distinctive headdresses made from precious or semi-precious materials date to prehistoric times, indicating a growing sense of individuality and hierarchy. Women’s headdresses were indicators of rulership, divinity, social status, cultic affiliation and wealth. Visual evidence indicates that female identity was emphasised by external and outward appearance and headdresses in the form of diadems followed recognised stylistic dictates throughout the Dynastic Period. The floral and faunal motifs used in the embellishment were believed to have protective amuletic and magical powers. Although a considerable amount of investigation has been undertaken into the use of materials and techniques used in the manufacture of diadems, the incorporation of symbolism and iconography of these gendered artefacts as a means of interpreting visual messages and self-expression has largely been unexplored. The study has been limited to well-provenanced, extant Old, Middle and New Kingdom diadems housed in various museums worldwide. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)