What is BS EN 60118-15 - Electroacoustics for hearing aids about?
BS EN 60118-15 is the 15th part of an international multi-series standard that discusses the use of electroacoustics for checking the performance of hearing aids.
BS EN 60118-15 specifies a test signal designed to represent normal speech, the International Speech Test Signal (ISTS), together with the procedures and the requirements for measuring the characteristics of signal processing in air-conduction hearing aids.
For the purposes of characterizing a hearing aid for production, supply and delivery, the procedures, and requirements to derive the coupler gain on a 2 cm3 coupler as defined in IEC 60318-5 are also specified.
The purpose of BS EN 60118-15 is to ensure that the same measurements made on a hearing aid following the procedures described, and using equipment complying with these requirements, give the same results.
Conformance to the specifications in BS EN 60118-15 is demonstrated only when the result of a measurement, is extended by the actually expanded uncertainty of measurement of the testing laboratory lies fully within the tolerances specified in BS EN 60118-15.
Note 1: Measurements of the characteristics of signal processing in hearing aids that apply nonlinear processing techniques are valid only for the test signal used. Measurements which require a different test signal or test conditions are outside the scope of BS EN 60118-15.
Note 2: Measurement methods that consider the acoustic coupling of hearing aid to the individual ear and the acoustic influence of the individual anatomical variations of an end-user on the acoustical performance of the hearing aid, known as real-ear measurements, are outside the scope of BS EN 60118-15.
Who is BS EN 60118-15 - Electroacoustics for hearing aids for?
BS EN 60118-15 on electroacoustics for hearing aids is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of hearing aids
- Manufacturers of microphones
- Manufacturers of the coupler
- Manufacturers of ear simulators
- Medical personnel
- Audiologists
- Testing authorities
Why should you use BS EN 60118-15 - Electroacoustics for hearing aids?
Electroacoustics assessment of the hearing aids is used for verifying if the performance characteristics of a hearing aid are as per its reference specifications. The characterization of hearing aids in actual use can differ significantly from those determined in accordance with standards such as IEC 60118-0 and IEC 60118-7. The hearing aid is considered to be a combination of the physical hearing aid and the fitting software which accompanies it.
BS EN 60118-15 describes a recommended speech-like test signal, the International Speech Test Signal (ISTS), and a method for the characterization of hearing aids using this signal with the hearing aid set to actual user settings or to the manufacturers' recommended settings for one of a range of audiograms. BS EN 60118-15 gives you a procedure that, uses a speech-like test signal and where the hearing aid settings are set to those programmed for an individual end-user or those recommended by the manufacturer for a typical end-user for a range of flat, moderately sloping, or steep sloping audiograms. BS EN 60118-15 allows the users to compare the measured characteristics to those which may be obtained by a wearer at typical user settings. BS EN 60118-15 describes the goal of the test method, to provide an estimate of the insertion gain as may be obtained across a group of persons.
By applying, BS EN 60118-15 you can learn about the methods for characterizing signal processing in hearing aids with a speech-like signal which can be helpful for your business.
