Methods for hearing aid directivity index measurements under simulated real-ear conditions

Published

September 1, 2005

Author(s)

Randall P. Wagner

Abstract

One technique traditionally used to measure the directivity index of hearing aids involves acquiring data with sound source locations (at multiple azimuth angles) restricted to the horizontal plane. For measurement of the directivity index of a hearing aid under simulated realear conditions, this technique provides limited accuracy due to the inherent asymmetry of the directional response of a manikin-mounted aid. To address this limitation, Working Group 48 of the ANSI Standards Committee S3 on Bioacoustics worked on the development of standardized procedures with sound source locations out of the horizontal plane. One such procedure specifies sound source locations on the surface of an icosohedron. The revision of ANSI standard S3.35 eventually developed by this working group specifies forty-eight sound source locations on a spherical surface centered about the point on the manikin bisecting the line joining the centers of the ear canals. Details regarding the test setups and procedures used at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support this development effort will be discussed. Data obtained with the different techniques will also be presented. [Work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.]

Volume

118

Issue

No. 3, Part 2

Conference Dates

October 17-21, 2005

Conference Location

Minneapolis, MN

Conference Title

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Program: 150th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

Directivity index, directivity index measurements, hearing aid measurements, hearing aids

Citation

Wagner, R. (2005), Methods for hearing aid directivity index measurements under simulated real-ear conditions, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Program: 150th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Minneapolis, MN (Accessed December 14, 2024)