Ron Miles

Ron Miles’ primary research is on the development of biologically inspired microacoustic sensors.

His work with Ron Hoy (Cornell University), Daniel Robert (University of Bristol) and Andrew Mason (University of Toronto) led to the discovery of an innovative mechanism for directional hearing in the fly Ormia ochracea. With funding from the National Institutes of Health, Miles is developing directional microphones for hearing aids that are inspired by the fly’s ears. The result is a revolutionary, high-performance device that minimizes the influence of unwanted sounds. It will markedly improve the ability of the hearing impaired to understand speech in noisy environments, their No. 1 complaint.

Miles, a professor of mechanical engineering, leads the Microacoustic Sensors Laboratory at Binghamton. It is home to a multi-disciplinary research group with specializations in design, modeling, fabrication, analysis and testing.

Miles, who holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington, worked at Boeing before joining Binghamton’s faculty in 1989. He has published more than 80 scholarly articles and has received the University Award for Excellence in Teaching; the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching; the Research Foundation’s Outstanding Inventor Award; the Chancellor's Award for Research in Science, Engineering and Medicine; the Research Foundation’s Innovation, Creation and Discovery Award; and the Research Foundation’s 2005 First Patent Award.

Available technologies:

• High-Order Directional Microphone Diaphragm (RB-164)
• Comb Sense Microphone (RB-186)
• Optical Differential Microphone (RB-220)