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4. DKE

DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

Overview

This document gives recommendations for the measurement of the performance characteristics of air conduction hearing aids measured with an acoustic coupler or occluded ear simulator. This document is applicable to 1. the measurement and evaluation of the electroacoustical characteristics of hearing aids, for example for type testing and manufacturer data sheets; 2. the measurement of the performance characteristics of hearing aids for production, supply and delivery quality-assurance purposes. This document primarily uses an acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-5 which is only intended for loading a hearing aid with specified acoustic impedance and is not intended to reproduce the sound pressure in a person's ear. For measurements reflecting the output level in the normal human ear the occluded ear simulator according to IEC 60318-4 may be used for a limited series of measurements. For extended high-frequency measurements and for deep insert hearing aids, the acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-8 can be used. This document also covers measurement of hearing aids with non-acoustic inputs, such as wireless, inductive or electrical input. This document does not cover the measurement of hearing aids for simulated in situ working conditions, for which IEC 60118-8 can be applied. This document does not cover the measurement of hearing aids under typical user settings and using a speech-like signal, for which IEC 60118-15 can be applied. The measurement results obtained by the methods specified in this document will express the performance under conditions of the measurement and can deviate substantially from the performance of the hearing aid under actual conditions of use. The standard differs from DIN EN 60118-0:2016-09 as follows: a) the default use of an acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-5, b) addition of the optional use of an occluded ear simulator according to IEC 60318-4, c) addition of the optional use of an acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-8 (new standard based on IEC TS 62886) when information about the response above 8 kHz is needed, or the optional use of the acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-8 for deep insert hearing aids, d) the addition of measurements of the performance of hearing aids for production, supply and delivery quality assurance purposes, e) corrected and updated measurement configuration and methods, adding the use of a sequential measurement as preferred configuration, f) updated and expanded measurement procedures for the non-acoustic inputs of the hearing aid. This document gives recommendations for the measurement of the performance characteristics of air conduction hearing aids measured with an acoustic coupler or occluded ear simulator. This document is applicable to the measurement and evaluation of the electroacoustical characteristics of hearing aids, (for example for type testing and manufacturer data sheets) and for the measurement of the performance characteristics of hearing aids for production, supply and delivery quality-assurance purposes. This document primarily uses an acoustic coupler according to IEC 60318-5 which is only intended for loading a hearing aid with specified acoustic impedance and is not intended to reproduce the sound pressure in a person's ear.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

DKE/GUK 821.6 - Hörgeräte und audiometrische Messtechnik