WG 21 - TC 29/WG 21

IEC 60318-7:2022 describes a head and torso simulator, or manikin, intended for the measurement of sound sources placed close to the ear in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 16 000 Hz.
The manikin described in this document is intended for airborne acoustic measurements only. It is not suitable for measurements which depend upon vibration transmission paths such as bone conduction, or for measurements requiring the simulation of bone or tissue.
This document specifies the manikin in terms of both its geometrical dimensions and its acoustical properties. Only manikins compliant with both sets of specifications are in conformance with this document.
IEC 60318-7:2022 cancels and replaces IEC TS 60318-7:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC TS 60318-7:2017:
a) changing the title;
b) extending the scope to sound sources close to the ear.

IEC 60318-8:2022 describes an acoustic coupler for loading a hearing aid or insert earphone with a specified acoustic impedance when testing its acoustic performance, in the frequency range up to 16 kHz. It is suitable for air-conduction hearing aids and earphones, coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts, earmoulds or similar devices.
The acoustic coupler does not simulate the human ear. However, it has an effective volume of only 0,4 cm3, which is small enough not to produce significant resonances in the coupler in the frequency range below 16 kHz. Therefore, it will load the earphone with a known acoustic impedance, which allows repeatable measurements with low uncertainty to be obtained on earphones used in extended high-frequency audiometry.

IEC TS 62886:2016(E) which is a Technical Specification, describes a coupler and measurement methods to characterise the electroacoustic performance of hearing aids and insert earphones primarily in the range of 8 kHz to 16 kHz.

IEC 60318-3:2014 specifies an acoustic coupler for the measurement of supra-aural audiometric earphones in the frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 000 Hz. The sound pressure developed by an earphone is not, in general, the same in the coupler as in a person's ear. However, the acoustic coupler can be used as an objective and reproducible means of measuring the output of supra-aural earphones. It can be used for specifying reference equivalent threshold sound pressure levels for the calibration of audiometers. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1998 and constitutes a technical revision which includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- adjustment of terms and wording to the other parts of IEC 60318;
- introduction of maximum permitted uncertainties;
- and revised requirements for static pressure equalization. Keywords: electroacoustics, deafness, hearing aids

IEC/TS 60318-7:2011(E) describes a head and torso simulator (manikin) intended for the measurement of air-conduction hearing aids in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 000 Hz. The device consists of a head mounted on a torso that extends to the waist. The head is equipped with simulated pinnae and with cylindrical cavities having acoustic impedance terminations and microphones located at positions corresponding to those of the eardrums in a median human adult. It has been designed to provide acoustic diffraction similar to that encountered around the median human head and torso. The device with its present pinna simulator, however, is not suitable for the measurement of all types of hearing aids. For example, most in-the-ear (ITE) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids cannot be measured correctly. The manikin is specified in terms of both, its geometrical dimensions and its acoustical properties. IEC/TS 60318-7:2011 has been developed as a revision of IEC/TR 60959 (1990). The main changes, as compared to the technical report, are the insertion of maximum permitted expanded measurement uncertainties and additional references in the Bibliography. A future IEC Standard which will include additional models of head and torso simulators for hearing aid measurements is planned.

IEC 60318-4:2010 describes an occluded-ear simulator intended for the measurement of insert earphones in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 000 Hz. It is suitable for air conduction hearing aids and earphones, coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts e.g. ear moulds or similar devices. The occluded-ear simulator is also suitable as the basis for an extension intended to simulate the complete ear canal and the outer ear (for instance in head simulators). The occluded-ear simulator simulates the acoustic transfer impedance for the occluded normal adult human ear. However, it does not simulate the leakage between an earmould and a human ear canal; therefore, the results obtained with the occluded-ear simulator may deviate from the performance of an insert earphone on a real ear, especially at low frequencies. Moreover, large performance variations among individual ears will occur which should be considered when using the ear simulator. Above 10 kHz the device does not simulate a human ear, but can be used as an acoustic coupler at additional frequencies up to 16 kHz. Below 100 Hz, the device has not been verified to simulate a human ear, but can be used as an acoustic coupler at additional frequencies down to 20 Hz. IEC 60318-4:2010 cancels and replaces IEC 60711, published in 1981 and constitutes a technical revision. The main changes with respect to the previous edition are listed below:
- extension of the usable frequency range to 100 Hz - 16 000 Hz;
- addition of values of maximum permitted expanded uncertainties to all tolerances.

IEC 60318-1:2009 specifies an ear simulator for the measurement of supra-aural and circumaural earphones (used for example in audiometry and telephonometry) applied to the ear without acoustical leakage, in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 10 kHz. The same device can be used as an acoustic coupler at additional frequencies up to 16 kHz. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1998 as well as replacing IEC 60318-2, published in 1998. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- an extension of the frequency range to 16 kHz;
- a revised specification for the acoustical transfer impedance, including tolerances;
- a method for measuring the acoustical transfer impedance;
- expanded measurement uncertainties.

Describes a mechanical coupler for the measurement of the output force of bone vibrators. The mechanical impedance of the coupler is specified in the frequency range 125 Hz to 8 000 Hz. The coupler is intended for calibration of audiometers using bone vibrators having a plane circular tip area of 175 mm² ± 25 mm² and for determining the performance of bone conduction hearing aids. The vibratory force developed by a bone vibrator is not, in general, the same on the coupler as on a person's mastoid. However, the IEC recommends its use as a means for the calibration of specified vibrators used in audiometry and for the exchange of specifications and of data on bone conduction hearing aids. This standard cancels and replaces IEC 60373 published in 1990. This first edition constitutes a technical revision.

Describes an acoustic coupler for loading an earphone or hearing aid with a specified acoustic impedance when determining its physical performance characteristics, in the frequency range 125 Hz to 8 kHz. It is suitable for air conduction hearing aids and earphones, coupled to the ear by means of ear inserts e.g. ear moulds or similar devices. The sound pressure developed by an earphone is not, in general, the same in the coupler as in a person's ear. However, it can be used as a simple and ready means for the exchange of specifications and of physical data on hearing aids and for the calibration of specified insert earphones used in audiometry. This first edition of IEC 60318-5 cancels and replaces IEC 60126:1973.

IEC TS 60318-7:2017(E) describes a head and torso simulator, or manikin, intended for the measurement of air-conduction hearing aids in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 16 000 Hz.
The manikin described in this document is intended for airborne acoustic measurements only. It is not suitable for measurements which depend upon vibration transmission paths such as bone conduction, or for measurements requiring the simulation of bone or tissue.
This document specifies the manikin in terms of both its geometrical dimensions and its acoustical properties. Only manikins compliant with both sets of specifications are in conformance with this document.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the document is based on the designs of three different commonly used types of manikins;
b) the cross sections of the head and torso and pinna simulators of the previous edition are replaced by maximum and minimum values of their geometric dimensions;
c) the diffuse field frequency response of the manikin is added;
d) the usable frequency range is extended to 100 Hz to 16 000 Hz;
e) in addition to the cylindrical ear canal extension a tapered ear canal extension is added;
f) design examples of one anatomically shaped manikin and of two different geometrically shaped manikins are given in the annexes;
g) the relationship between tolerance interval, corresponding acceptance interval and the maximum permitted uncertainty of measurement are given in an annex;
h) 3D representations of three different types of pinna simulators are given in an annex.