Method And Apparatus For Objective Assessment Of In-Ear Device Acoustical Performance

摘要

A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

主权项

1. An apparatus for objectively assessing in-situ an acoustic seal of an in-ear device in field environment conditions, the apparatus comprising:
a controller unit operatively connectable to a sound source and to a sound measurement device; wherein the sound measurement device may be selectively engaged in a first position relative to an in-ear device to measure a first sound level outside the ear canal; wherein the sound measurement device may be selectively engaged in a second position relative to the in-ear device, such position occluding a passageway in the in-ear device, to measure a second sound level inside the ear canal; a supporting device that is mountable on the sound source, releasably supporting the sound measurement device thereon.