In-ear earplug on-site suitability test method and in-ear earplug on-site suitability test system

Abstract

The invention provides an in-ear earplug on-site suitability test method and system, and the method comprises the steps: providing acoustic information for the ear of a subject before the subject wears an earplug, and enabling the signal frequency of the acoustic information to cover the hearing frequency range of the human ear; providing optical information to the eye of the subject, the optical information being associated with the acoustic information; acquiring first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug; after the testee wears the earplug, the acoustic information is provided for the ear of the testee, and the optical information is provided for the eye of the testee at the same time; acquiring second feedback information output according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the testee wears the earplug; and obtaining a personal sound attenuation value according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information, and obtaining a test result according to the personal sound attenuation value. According to the invention, the test result is obtained by testing the hearing effect of the subject before and after the subject wears the earplug.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of hearing testing, and in particular to an on-site suitability testing method and system for in-ear earplugs. Background Art

[0002] Earplugs are made of silicone, low-pressure foam molded material, or highly elastic polyester material. They can be inserted into the human external auditory canal and fit tightly against the external auditory canal, thereby isolating sound from entering the middle ear and inner ear, thereby protecting the auditory organs from the harm of high-decibel noise.

[0003] Fit testing is an effective method to verify the actual hearing protection effect of earplugs. Existing methods for evaluating the fit of earplugs are mainly based on the real ear hearing threshold attenuation method and the real ear built-in microphone method in international standards. Current earplug fit testing methods focus on testing multiple types of earplugs, but the operation is complicated and time-consuming; or focus on large-scale rapid testing, but the types of applicable earplugs are limited. Existing methods cannot simultaneously meet the needs of simple operation, rapid testing, large-scale and multiple types of earplug testing. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve one of the above technical problems, the present invention provides an on-site suitability test method and system for in-ear earplugs.

[0005] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for on-site suitability testing of an in-ear earplug, the method comprising:

[0006] Before the subject wears the earplug, providing acoustic information to the subject's ear, wherein the signal frequency of the acoustic information covers the frequency range of human hearing;

[0007] providing optical information to an eye of the subject, the optical information being correlated with the acoustic information;

[0008] Acquiring first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug;

[0009] After the subject wears the earplug, the acoustic information is provided to the subject's ears, and the optical information is provided to the subject's eyes at the same time;

[0010] obtaining second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug;

[0011] A personal sound attenuation value is obtained according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information, and a test result is obtained according to the personal sound attenuation value.

[0012] Preferably, the process of obtaining first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug, or obtaining second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug comprises:

[0013] Acquiring confirmation information, wherein the confirmation information is information outputted through the optical information when the subject hears the acoustic information;

[0014] Acquiring adjustment information, where the adjustment information is information generated when the subject is unable to hear the acoustic information and the sound pressure level in the acoustic information is adjusted;

[0015] Acquire end information, where the end information is information generated when the subject completes all frequency acoustic information inspections.

[0016] Preferably, the method further comprises:

[0017] Before the subjects wear the earplugs, the naked ear hearing threshold of the subjects is measured, and the passing standard of the naked ear hearing threshold measurement is a sound pressure level not higher than 20 dB (A).

[0018] Preferably, the process of obtaining the test result according to the personal sound attenuation value comprises:

[0019] Entering the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit in advance, and calculating the difference between the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit;

[0020] Comparing the personal sound attenuation value with the difference value;

[0021] When the personal sound attenuation value is greater than or equal to the difference, the test result is that the test is passed;

[0022] When the personal sound attenuation value is less than the difference, the test result is that the test fails.

[0023] Preferably, the method further comprises:

[0024] Obtain personal information entered by the subjects;

[0025] Create a file based on the personal information;

[0026] The test results of the subject are associated with the subject profile.

[0027] Preferably, before providing the acoustic information to the ear of the subject, the method further comprises:

[0028] Establishing a questionnaire question bank, wherein the questionnaire question bank includes survey questions;

[0029] Obtaining and responding to a test instruction, while displaying the survey questions in the questionnaire question bank to the subject, wherein the test instruction is an instruction for the subject to initiate an on-site fit test of the in-ear earplug;

[0030] Obtaining survey answers output by the subjects according to the survey questions;

[0031] Subjects who are not eligible for testing are screened out based on the survey answers.

[0032] Preferably, before the subject wears the earplug, the method further comprises: providing earplug wearing prompt information to the subject, so that the subject wears the earplug according to the earplug wearing prompt information.

[0033] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an on-site suitability testing system for an in-ear earplug, the system comprising:

[0034] An acoustic output device, used for providing acoustic information to the ear of the subject before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the signal frequency of the acoustic information covers the frequency range of human hearing;

[0035] An optical output device for providing optical information to the subject's eyes before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the optical information is associated with the acoustic information;

[0036] A feedback device, used for the subject to output first feedback information and second feedback information respectively according to the acoustic information and the optical information before and after wearing the earplug;

[0037] A control processing device is used to send acoustic information to an acoustic output device, send optical information to an optical output device, and obtain a personal sound attenuation value according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information sent by a feedback device, and obtain a test result according to the personal sound attenuation value.

[0038] Preferably, the acoustic signal of the acoustic information provided by the acoustic output device to the ear of the subject is a composite frequency signal covering the human ear auditory frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

[0039] Preferably, the acoustic information provided by the acoustic output device to the ear of the subject includes environmental test background noise with a sound pressure level of 20 dB(A) to 80 dB(A).

[0040] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention obtains the test results by testing the hearing effect of the subject before and after the subject wears the earplugs. The entire test process only requires the subject to perform corresponding operations according to the acoustic information and optical information, and the operation is simple. In addition, there is no restriction on the type of earplugs worn by the subject, which can meet the needs of rapid testing of large quantities and multiple types of earplugs, and is suitable for the suitability test of earplugs worn by employees of large-scale production and high-noise enterprises, helping enterprises and individuals understand the actual hearing protection effect of subjects wearing earplugs and reduce the risk of hearing damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the on-site suitability test method for in-ear earplugs according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the on-site suitability testing system for in-ear earplugs described in Example 2 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the technical solutions and advantages in the embodiments of the present application more clearly understood, the exemplary embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than an exhaustive list of all the embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment proposes an on-site suitability test method for in-ear earplugs, which is suitable for testing the suitability of earplugs worn by employees in large-scale production and high-noise enterprises. The method specifically includes:

[0047] S101, providing acoustic information to the ear of the subject before the subject wears the earplug;

[0048] S102, providing optical information to the eyes of the subject;

[0049] S103, obtaining first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before wearing the earplug;

[0050] S104, after the subject wears the earplug, providing the acoustic information to the subject's ears and simultaneously providing the optical information to the subject's eyes;

[0051] S105, obtaining second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug;

[0052] S106: Obtain a personal sound attenuation value according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information, and obtain a test result according to the personal sound attenuation value.

[0053] Specifically, the on-site suitability test method for in-ear earplugs proposed in this embodiment is mainly divided into two processes: before the subject wears the earplugs and after the subject wears the earplugs. The test process before the subject wears the earplugs is a naked ear hearing test, which is intended to test the hearing of the subject's ears when the subject is not wearing earplugs. Then, after the subject wears the earplugs, the hearing test of the subject when wearing the earplugs is performed, so as to compare and calculate the test results before and after the subject wears the earplugs, so as to obtain the final test result.

[0054] In this embodiment, if the hearing test of the subject before and after wearing the earplugs is to be carried out, it is necessary to provide acoustic information to the subject's ear through an acoustic output device, so that the subject can make corresponding action instructions or output corresponding feedback information through the acoustic information. The signal frequency of the acoustic information needs to meet the human hearing frequency range of 20Hz to 20000Hz. The acoustic information can be a word, a paragraph or a prompt tone, etc., which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0055] In order to prompt the subject to make corresponding actions or obtain feedback information from the subject, an optical output device is also required to provide the subject with optical information associated with the acoustic information. The optical information can usually be presented in the form of text, icons or other visual information. For example, when the acoustic output device provides 1000Hz acoustic information at this time, the sound frequency of the acoustic information can be displayed on the optical output device accordingly, as well as an option that enables the subject to output whether the sound can be heard.

[0056] When the subject starts the adaptability test, the acoustic output device provides acoustic information to the subject's naked ear in a frequency-by-frequency manner, and the subject makes corresponding actions according to the prompts of the optical output device to output the first feedback information. After the subject wears the earplugs, the above process is repeated and the second feedback information is output. Due to the protective effect of the earplugs, there will be a certain difference between the first feedback information output when the subject has naked ears and the second feedback information output when the subject wears earplugs. The personal sound attenuation value is obtained based on the difference between the first feedback information and the second feedback information, and the test result is obtained based on the personal sound attenuation value. The calculation process of the personal sound attenuation value is as follows:

[0057]

[0058] Where:

[0059] Subscript f(k) – centre frequency of the octave band (corresponding to frequencies 63, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz respectively. If 63 Hz is involved, the cumulative summation in A.2 starts from 63 Hz);

[0060] L f(k) ——sound pressure level of octave band noise;

[0061] A f(k) ——The A-weighted value of the octave band centre frequency determined in accordance with GB / T 3785.

[0062] APV fx To assume the protection value, the formula is as follows:

[0063] APV fx =mf-αsf

[0064] Where:

[0065] Subscript f——octave band center frequency, Hz;

[0066] Subscript x——indicates the selected protection rate, %;

[0067] mf——average sound attenuation value measured according to GB / T 7584.1, dB;

[0068] sf——standard deviation measured according to GB / T 7584.1, dB;

[0069] α——constant.

[0070] This embodiment obtains the test results by testing the hearing effect of the subject before and after the subject wears the earplugs. The entire test process only requires the subject to perform corresponding operations according to the acoustic information and optical information, and the operation is simple. In addition, there is no restriction on the type of earplugs worn by the subject, which can meet the needs of rapid testing of large quantities and multiple types of earplugs. It is suitable for the suitability test of earplugs worn by employees of large-scale production and high-noise enterprises, helping enterprises and individuals understand the actual hearing protection effect of subjects wearing earplugs and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

[0071] In some optional embodiments, the process of obtaining first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug, or obtaining second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug includes:

[0072] Acquiring confirmation information, wherein the confirmation information is information outputted through the optical information when the subject hears the acoustic information;

[0073] Acquiring adjustment information, where the adjustment information is information generated when the subject is unable to hear the acoustic information and the sound pressure level in the acoustic information is adjusted;

[0074] Acquire end information, where the end information is information generated when the subject completes all frequency acoustic information inspections.

[0075] Specifically, when the subject starts the adaptability test, once the subject hears the acoustic information, the subject can output confirmation information by clicking the information displayed on the optical output device, so that the background can determine that the subject can hear the acoustic information at this time, and record the signal frequency and sound pressure level of the current acoustic information. If the subject cannot hear the acoustic information, the subject can output adjustment information to adjust the sound pressure level of the acoustic information, which can be achieved by buttons, rollers, etc., which is convenient and quick to operate until the subject can hear the acoustic information. When all frequencies of acoustic information are played, an end message is generated to indicate that the test step of the current stage is over.

[0076] In some optional embodiments, the on-site suitability test method for in-ear earplugs further includes: before the subject wears the earplugs, measuring the naked ear hearing threshold of the subject, and the pass standard of the naked ear hearing threshold measurement is a sound pressure level of no more than 20dB(A). This can be used as a reference indicator for screening subjects who meet the test requirements.

[0077] In some optional embodiments, the process of obtaining the test result according to the personal sound attenuation value includes:

[0078] Entering the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit in advance, and calculating the difference between the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit;

[0079] Comparing the personal sound attenuation value with the difference value;

[0080] When the personal sound attenuation value is greater than or equal to the difference, the test result is that the test is passed;

[0081] When the personal sound attenuation value is less than the difference, the test result is that the test fails.

[0082] Specifically, before conducting the adaptability test, the enterprise exposure value and noise exposure limit of the enterprise can be pre-entered into the background according to the production environment or production requirements of the enterprise, and the difference between the two can be calculated. The personal sound attenuation value is calculated after the first feedback information and the second feedback information output before and after the subject wears the earplugs. Then the personal sound attenuation value is compared with the above difference. When the personal sound attenuation value is greater than or equal to the difference, the test result is that the test is passed. When the personal sound attenuation value is less than the difference, the test result is that the test fails.

[0083] In some optional embodiments, the in-ear earplug on-site suitability test method further includes:

[0084] Obtain personal information entered by the subjects;

[0085] Create a file based on the personal information;

[0086] The test results of the subject are associated with the subject profile.

[0087] Specifically, by establishing personal files of the subjects, more reasonable, scientific and accurate test reports can be output through multiple groups of comparative tests. At the same time, a rational analysis of the hearing impact of different individuals in the current production environment can also be carried out.

[0088] In some optional embodiments, before providing acoustic information to the subject's ear, the in-ear earplug on-site fit testing method further includes:

[0089] Establishing a questionnaire question bank, wherein the questionnaire question bank includes survey questions;

[0090] Obtaining and responding to a test instruction, while displaying the survey questions in the questionnaire question bank to the subject, wherein the test instruction is an instruction for the subject to initiate an on-site fit test of the in-ear earplug;

[0091] Obtaining survey answers output by the subjects according to the survey questions;

[0092] Subjects who are not eligible for testing are screened out based on the survey answers.

[0093] Specifically, the subjects who are not eligible for the test can be further screened through the form of a questionnaire. The survey questions in the survey questionnaire question bank can be adjusted according to the actual test environment or test individuals. This embodiment is described by example.

[0094] In this embodiment, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the subjects in two parts, including an adaptability test experience survey and a hearing disease history survey.

[0095] The suitability test experience survey includes but is not limited to the following:

[0096] (1) Have you received one-on-one instruction on how to wear earplugs?

[0097] (2) In the past year, have you attended any lectures, computer tutorials, or watched any videos on how to wear earplugs?

[0098] (3) In the past year, have you participated in an experiment designed to measure the noise reduction effectiveness of earplugs?

[0099] (4) In the past year, how many days did you wear any type of earplugs to protect yourself from noise?

[0100] (5) How many days did you wear earplugs while sleeping or swimming?

[0101] The investigation of hearing disease history includes but is not limited to the following:

[0102] (1) Is there a history of tinnitus?

[0103] (2) Is there a history of hearing disease?

[0104] (3) Is there a history of otitis media?

[0105] (4) Is there a history of long-term noise exposure?

[0106] The above are only examples of this embodiment, and the specific question content can be set according to the actual situation.

[0107] In some optional embodiments, before the subject wears the earplug, the on-site suitability test method for in-ear earplugs further includes: providing earplug wearing prompt information to the subject, so that the subject wears the earplug according to the earplug wearing prompt information.

[0108] Specifically, in this embodiment, the earplug wearing reminder information provided to the subject can be a simple voice or text reminder, or can be a way to teach the subject how to wear the earplug correctly, so that the test can be carried out in a wearing method that is as standard as possible. This embodiment also provides a reminder method for illustration:

[0109] Step 1: Clean your hands and rub the earplugs repeatedly with your thumb, index finger and middle finger until they are long and thin and can be inserted into the ear canal;

[0110] Step 2: Use your thumb and index finger to lift the contralateral ear mound and straighten the ear canal;

[0111] Step 3. Rotate the rubbed earplug into the ear canal, press the bottom of the earplug with your index finger for 30 seconds to make it level with the ear canal opening, and wait for the earplug to rebound and return to its original shape.

[0112] When everything is ready, the subject can perform an on-site fit test of the in-ear earplugs with the earplugs worn.

[0113] Example 2

[0114] Corresponding to Example 1, this embodiment provides an on-site suitability testing system for in-ear earplugs, such as Figure 2 As shown, the system includes:

[0115] An acoustic output device, used for providing acoustic information to the ear of the subject before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the signal frequency of the acoustic information covers the frequency range of human hearing;

[0116] An optical output device for providing optical information to the subject's eyes before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the optical information is associated with the acoustic information;

[0117] A feedback device, used for the subject to output first feedback information and second feedback information respectively according to the acoustic information and the optical information before and after wearing the earplug;

[0118] A control processing device is used to send acoustic information to an acoustic output device, send optical information to an optical output device, and obtain a personal sound attenuation value according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information sent by a feedback device, and obtain a test result according to the personal sound attenuation value.

[0119] Specifically, in this embodiment, the acoustic output device can be a receiver, a player or other amplifying device, which can generate pink noise equivalent to that filtered by a 1 / 3 octave filter. The test process should be performed at the following center frequencies: 63Hz (optional as needed), 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, 8000Hz. In addition, the sound pressure level generated by each octave band test signal should be within the acceptable range that does not affect human hearing: 20-80dB(A). Each octave band test signal has been pre-recorded into the control processing device, called as the test is performed, and played by the acoustic output device.

[0120] The optical output device can be a conventional display. The feedback device can usually be implemented by a mouse or a keyboard. If a mouse is used, the sound pressure level can be increased or decreased by 10dB(A) for every 360° rotation of the scroll wheel. If a keyboard is used, the sound pressure level can be increased or decreased by the arrow keys. The control processing device can be implemented by a server host with a processor.

[0121] This embodiment obtains the test results by testing the hearing effect of the subject before and after the subject wears the earplugs. The entire test process only requires the subject to perform corresponding operations according to the acoustic information and optical information, and the operation is simple. In addition, there is no restriction on the type of earplugs worn by the subject, which can meet the needs of rapid testing of large quantities and multiple types of earplugs. It is suitable for the suitability test of earplugs worn by employees of large-scale production and high-noise enterprises, helping enterprises and individuals understand the actual hearing protection effect of subjects wearing earplugs and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

[0122] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for testing the suitability of an in-ear earplug on site, characterized in that: The method comprises: Before the subject wears the earplug, providing acoustic information to the subject's ear, wherein the signal frequency of the acoustic information covers the human ear hearing frequency range; providing optical information to an eye of the subject, the optical information being correlated with the acoustic information; Acquiring first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug; After the subject wears the earplug, the acoustic information is provided to the subject's ears, and the optical information is provided to the subject's eyes at the same time; obtaining second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug; A personal sound attenuation value is obtained according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information, and a test result is obtained according to the personal sound attenuation value.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of obtaining the first feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information before the subject wears the earplug, or obtaining the second feedback information output by the subject according to the acoustic information and the optical information after the subject wears the earplug comprises: Acquiring confirmation information, wherein the confirmation information is information outputted through the optical information when the subject hears the acoustic information; Acquiring adjustment information, where the adjustment information is information generated when the subject is unable to hear the acoustic information and the sound pressure level in the acoustic information is adjusted; Acquire end information, where the end information is information generated when the subject completes all frequency acoustic information inspections.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before the subjects wear the earplugs, the naked ear hearing threshold of the subjects is measured, and the passing standard of the naked ear hearing threshold measurement is a sound pressure level not higher than 20 dB (A).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The process of obtaining the test result according to the personal sound attenuation value comprises: Entering the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit in advance, and calculating the difference between the enterprise exposure value and the noise exposure limit; Comparing the personal sound attenuation value with the difference value; When the personal sound attenuation value is greater than or equal to the difference, the test result is that the test is passed; When the personal sound attenuation value is less than the difference, the test result is that the test fails.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtain personal information entered by the subjects; Create a file based on the personal information; The test results of the subject are associated with the subject profile.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Prior to providing the acoustic information to the ear of the subject, the method further comprises: Establishing a questionnaire question bank, wherein the questionnaire question bank includes survey questions; Obtaining and responding to a test instruction, while displaying the survey questions in the questionnaire question bank to the subject, wherein the test instruction is an instruction for the subject to initiate an on-site fit test of the in-ear earplug; Obtaining survey answers output by the subjects according to the survey questions; Subjects who are not eligible for testing are screened out based on the survey answers.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before the subject wears the earplug, the method further includes: providing earplug wearing prompt information to the subject, so that the subject wears the earplug according to the earplug wearing prompt information.

8. An on-site fit test system for in-ear earplugs, characterized in that: The system comprises: An acoustic output device, used for providing acoustic information to the ear of the subject before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the signal frequency of the acoustic information covers the frequency range of human hearing; An optical output device for providing optical information to the subject's eyes before or after the subject wears the earplug, wherein the optical information is associated with the acoustic information; A feedback device, used for the subject to output first feedback information and second feedback information respectively according to the acoustic information and the optical information before and after wearing the earplug; A control processing device is used to send acoustic information to an acoustic output device, send optical information to an optical output device, and obtain a personal sound attenuation value according to the first feedback information and the second feedback information sent by a feedback device, and obtain a test result according to the personal sound attenuation value.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that The acoustic signal of the acoustic information provided by the acoustic output device to the ear of the subject is a composite frequency signal, covering the human ear hearing frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

10. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that The acoustic information provided by the acoustic output device to the ear of the subject includes environmental test background noise with a sound pressure level of 20 dB(A) to 80 dB(A).

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