Measurement of Earmuffs Attenuation at High Audible Frequencies

• Autorzy: Kozłowski E. , Młyński R.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.1515/aoa-2017-0027

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Standardised measurements of sound attenuation of hearing protectors are performed in the frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 kHz. However, noise present at many workplaces contains significant components at higher audible frequency. Therefore, the knowledge about noise attenuation with earmuffs in the audible frequency range above 8 kHz is also necessary for proper hearing protection. The aim of this study was to obtain values of the noise attenuation with 27 commonly-used earmuffs models in the 1/3 octave bands of 10, 12.5 and 16 kHz. The measurements were conducted with a real ear at threshold (REAT) method with participation of subjects. The study showed that attenuation of earmuffs ranged from 24.7 to 42.8 dB, depending on model of earmuffs and frequency band. Furthermore, the measurements were performed with the use of acoustic test fixture which is designed especially for testing hearing protectors. Results obtained with the use of acoustic test fixture indicated that this measurement method can lead to values close to attenuation measured with participation of subjects. On the other hand, values obtained with the use of acoustic test fixture may differ average up to 14 dB from REAT method.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

hearing protectors; earmuffs; sound attenuation; high frequencies

• Wydawca: Instytut Podstawowych Problemów Techniki PAN ; Komitet Akustyki PAN ; Polskie Towarzystwo Akustyczne
• Czasopismo: Archives of Acoustics
• Rocznik: 2017
• Tom: Vol. 42, No. 2
• Strony: 249--254
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 14 poz., fot., tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Kozłowski E.

• Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland

autor

Młyński R.

• Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland

Bibliografia

• 1. ANSI/ASA S12.42-2010, Methods for the Measurement of Insertion Loss of Hearing Protection Devices in Continuous or Impulsive Noise Using Microphone-in-Real-Ear or Acoustic Test Fixture Procedures.
• 2. Berger E. H., Kieper R. W., Stergar M. E. (2012), Performance of New Acoustical Test Fixtures Complying with ANSI S12.42-2010, with Particular Attention to the Specification of Self Insertion Loss, Proceedings of the INTER-NOISE 2012, August 19–22, New York, USA.
• 3. Crabtree R. B., Behar A. (2000), Measurement of hearing protector insertion loss at ultrasonic frequencies, Applied Acoustics, 59, 3, 287–299.
• 4. EN ISO 11904-1:2002, Acoustics – Determination of sound immission from sound sources placed close to the ear – Part 1: Technique using a microphone in a real ear (MIRE technique).
• 5. EN ISO 4869-2:1995, Acoustics – Hearing protectors – Part 2: Estimation of effective A-weighted sound pressure levels when hearing protectors are worn.
• 6. EN ISO 4869-3:2007, Acoustics – Hearing protectors – Part 3: Measurement of insertion loss of ear-muff type protectors using an acoustic test fixture.
• 7. EN 24869-1:1992, Acoustics – Hearing protectors. Sound attenuation of hearing protectors – Subjective method of measurement.
• 8. EN 458:2016, Hearing protectors. Recommendations for selection, use, care and maintenance, Guidance document.
• 9. Lenzuni P., Sangiorgi T., Cerini L. (2012), Attenuation of peak sound pressure levels of shooting noise by hearing protective earmuffs, Noise Health, 14, 58, 91–99.
• 10. Młyński R., Kozłowski E., Adamczyk J. (2014), Assessment of impulse noise hazard and the use of hearing protection devices in workplaces where forging hammers are used, Archives of Acoustics, 39, 1, 73–79.
• 11. Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska M., Zaborowski K., Dudarewicz A. (2013), Evaluation of efficiency of personal hearing protective devices in case of exposure to ultrasonic noise. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Noise Control 2013, May 26–29, Ryn, Poland.
• 12. Smagowska B. (2013), Ultrasonic noise sources in a work environment, Archives of Acoustics, 38, 2, 169–176.
• 13. Smagowska B., Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska M. (2013), Effects of ultrasonic noise on the human body – a bibliographic review, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE), 19, 2, 195–202.
• 14. Żera J., Młyński R. (2004), Attenuation of outside noise by shotblasting helmets, Archives of Acoustics, 29, 2, 347–358.

Uwagi

Opracowanie ze środków MNiSW w ramach umowy 812/P-DUN/2016 na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (zadania 2017).