What is BS EN 60318-4-Occluded-ear simulator for the measurement of insert earphones about?
BS EN 60318 is a European standard on electroacoustics that discusses the simulators of the human head and ear to improve the acoustical performance of insert earphones.
BS EN 60318-4 is the fourth part of the BS EN 60318 series that describes an occluded-ear simulator intended for the measurement of insert earphones in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 000 Hz.
BS EN 60318-4 is suitable for air conduction hearing aids and earphones, coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts e.g., ear moulds or similar devices. The occluded-ear simulator is also suitable as the basis for an extension intended to simulate the complete ear canal and the outer ear (for instance in head simulators).
Above 10 kHz the device does not simulate a human ear but can be used as an acoustic coupler at additional frequencies up to 16 kHz. Below 100 Hz, the device has not been verified to simulate a human ear but can be used as an acoustic coupler at additional frequencies down to 20 Hz.
Note: Due to resonances in the acoustic transfer impedance of the occluded-ear simulator above 10 kHz, high measurement uncertainties, e.g., in the order of 10 dB, can occur in earphone responses. Repeatable results are obtained for insert earphones with high acoustic damping (used for instance in the extended high-frequency audiometry, see the earphones listed in ISO 389-6) coupled to the occluded-ear simulator by means of a simple, symmetrically designed, and airtight coupling device.
Who is BS EN 60318-4-Occluded-ear simulator for the measurement of insert earphones for?
BS EN 60318-4 on occluded-ear simulator for the measurement of insert earphones is useful for:
- Occluded-ear simulator manufacturers
- Occluded-ear simulator test personnel
- Occupational health and safety departments
- Quality assurance departments
Why should you use BS EN 60318-4-Occluded-ear simulator for the measurement of insert earphones?
Occluded-ear simulator is an ear simulator that approximates the acoustic transfer impedance of the inner part of the ear canal, from the tip of an ear insert to the eardrum.
BS EN 60318-4 provides you with guidance on construction, principal cavity dimensions, acoustic transfer impedance level, an example of design, calibration, calibration method, coupling of earphones and hearing aids to the occluded-ear simulator, maximum permitted expanded uncertainty of measurements, etc. This will help you in the calibration of insert earphones used in audiometry.
The dimensions and methods provided by BS EN 60318-4 assist you in improving the performance and quality of the occluded-ear simulator and ensuring the accuracy of insert earphones.
With obedience and compliance to BS EN 60318-4, you can enhance the quality of the occluded-ear simulator and manufacture a standardized high-quality product.
What is changed since the last update?
BS EN 60318-4:2010 supersedes BS 6310:1982, which is withdrawn. BS EN 60318-4:2010 has made some technical changes compared to the previous editions BS 6310:1982. These include:
- Extension of the usable frequency range to 100 Hz – 16 000 Hz
- Addition of values of maximum permitted expanded uncertainties to all tolerances