Improved ear simulator for extended application range

Abstract

The international standard IEC 60318-4 specifies an occluded ear simulator for testing headphones, earphones, hearing protectors, hearing aids etc. The standard specifies a specific microphone type which limits the dynamic range of the coupler, such that it is not possible to measure very low levels or very high levels. Additionally, the standard 711 coupler is often interfaced to a pinna simulator incorporated in a Head and Torso simulator as per IEC 60318-7. This interface has traditionally been implemented as a cylindrical, straight ear canal simulator. This makes the fit of many modern in-ear headphones and hearing protectors problematic and unrealistic. By using low noise microphones instead of the standard microphones, the coupler can be used for measuring extremely low sound pressure levels such as noise floor, low level distortion or microphonics. Conversely, by using low sensitivity microphones, the coupler can be used for extremely high level measurements—useful for testing active and passive attenuation ratings of hearing protectors. Moreover, using a vast database of 3D human ear canal scans, a new pinna and ear canal simulator is proposed that will greatly improve measurement accuracy and repeatability on products going on or in the ear.