How to estimate A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level effective to the ear from earmuffs equipped with advanced entertainment audio functions

摘要

Personal protective equipment on the European market shall comply with harmonized standards in relation to Directive 89/686/EEC. For hearing protectors that means the different parts of EN 352. However, for some products with new technology there are alternate testing methods which are more appropriate. An example is the communication products from 3M equipped with Bluetooth technology and adaptive limiter function of the entertainment audio signal. This type of hearing protectors should be tested to EN532-8, but that standard does not specify how to handle this kind of functionality. This presentation describes a method how to test products that reproduce streamed music from for example mobile phones. It also describes a test method applied to an adaptive limiter function that works over a certain time, for example to not exceed a maximum daily dose.