Method and apparatus for determining in situ the acoustic seal provided by an in-ear device
US6687377B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/15
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for determining in situ the acoustic seal provided by an in-ear device of a hearing protection/aid nature inserted into the ear canal of an individual. The in-ear device having a sound bore with an environment opening and an ear opening outside and inside the ear canal respectively, the environment opening is adapted to be removably engaged by a remote device such as a sound measurement device, a filter device, an amplifier device, a plug device and the like. The apparatus includes a sound measurement device having a probe microphone and a reference microphone isolated from each other and connected to a data processing unit having a control box and a speaker, both connected to a computer unit. Both microphones are adapted for measuring sound pressure levels inside said ear canal and outside in close proximity of said in-ear device respectively, the sound pressure levels corresponding to a known noise signal created by the speaker. The data processing unit being adapted for recording and processing the sound pressure levels read by both microphones corresponding to said known noise signal to provide a corresponding calculated value of a so…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.