Hearing Protector Attenuation Measurement via Binaural Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining sound attenuation by hearing protector ear plugs, such as the MIRE method, are cumbersome and result in unreliable measurements due to the difficulty of placing a microphone on the ear plug and the need to remove part of the plug for efficient testing.
Innovation Solution
A method using a computing device to perform at least two measurements with a two-channel test sound, where the user perceives equal loudness in both ears through binaural audio interaction, allowing for accurate determination of sound attenuation by adjusting amplitudes and phases of the audio channels, and using a headset to provide a binaural audio test sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed on the hearing protector ear plug using the MIRE method, then sound attenuation can be measured, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and requires removing part of the ear plug
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the microphone from the ear plug structure itself and places it in the user's ear canal instead. This eliminates the need to modify the ear plug by removing parts or attaching microphones to it, while still enabling accurate sound attenuation measurements through comparative loudness perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the user's ear and auditory system as an intermediary element in the measurement process. Instead of directly measuring sound levels with a microphone on the ear plug, the system uses the user's perception of loudness balance between ears as an indirect but accurate indicator of attenuation.
2Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed on the hearing protector ear plug, then attenuation measurement is possible, but the results become less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs the user's own auditory system to perform the measurement function. The user's brain naturally processes and compares the sounds from both ears, providing a reliable and accurate assessment of the ear plug's attenuation performance without external interference from modified ear plug structures.
3Measurement precision
If a two-channel test sound with binaural interaction is used, then user perception of equal loudness improves, but the audio processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of the test sound by introducing binaural interactions through frequency shifts or phase differences between the left and right audio channels. This enhances the user's ability to perceive equal loudness while the processing complexity is managed through standard audio signal manipulation techniques.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the determination of sound attenuation by improving user perception of equal loudness in both ears, providing reliable measurements without the need for direct microphone placement on the ear plug, and focusing on the challenging frequency range of 100Hz - 1000Hz.
Implementation Method 1
a two channel test sound evoking a binaural interaction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for determining a measure for an attenuation provided by a hearing protector ear plug when worn by a user, said method comprises the performing of at least two measurements, wherein a first (2) of said at least two measurements is performed when said user is free from said hearing protector ear plug, and a second (3) of said at least two measurements if performed when said user is wearing said hearing protector ear plug in one of its ears, said method further comprises, after performing said at least two measurements, the step (4) of determining said measure for said attenuation provided by said hearing protector ear plug based on said performed at least two measurements, wherein a two channel test sound to said user comprises a binaural audio test sound.