Method and apparatus for objective assessment of in-ear device acoustical performance
US8254587B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/15
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.