Authors: Bockstael, Annelies; Deschrijver, Dirk; Botteldooren, Dick; Dhaene, Tom; Vinck, Bart

Source: Acta Acustica united with Acustica, Volume 96, Number 1, January/February 2010 , pp. 168-178(11)

Publisher: S. Hirzel Verlag

Abstract:

The performance of hearing protectors can be assessed in situ by measuring the sound pressure inside the ear canal following the Microphone In Real Ear (MIRE) protocol. Thus a custom-made earplug has been designed with an inner bore, allowing the insertion of the MIRE measurement microphone. However, the actual exposure level can only be accurately predicted if the relationship, henceforth called transfer function, between the sound level at the microphone and at the eardrum is known. Previous research has revealed that the transfer function can be precisely approximated with an individualized FDTD model, but a simplified method is needed for practical implementation due to the time-consuming nature of this numerical technique. In this matter, a one-dimensional analytical model appears inadequate, hence an approximation to the detailed FDTD model based on digital filter design is proposed instead. Two different approaches have been applied to estimate the individualized filter coefficients: multiple linear regression and Multivariate Orthonormal Vector Fitting (MOVF). In general, both methods can predict an individual's transfer function quite accurately if the length of the earplug's inner bore and the length of the residual part of the ear canal behind the protector are known. However, MOVF seems more reliable for ears with a longer residual part.

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3813/AAA.918266

Publication date: 2010-01-01

More about this publication?

• Acta Acustica united with Acustica, published together with the European Acoustics Association (EAA), is an international, peer-reviewed journal on acoustics. It publishes original articles on all subjects in the field of acoustics, such as general linear acoustics, nonlinear acoustics, macrosonics, flow acoustics, atmospheric sound, underwater sound, ultrasonics, physical acoustics, structural acoustics, noise control, active control, environmental noise, building acoustics, room acoustics, acoustic materials, acoustic signal processing, computational and numerical acoustics, hearing, audiology and psychoacoustics, speech, musical acoustics, electroacoustics, auditory quality of systems. It reports on original scientific research in acoustics and on engineering applications. The journal considers scientific papers, technical and applied papers, book reviews, short communications, doctoral thesis abstracts, etc. In irregular intervals also special issues and review articles are published.
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