WG 21 Head and ear simulators

Head and ear simulators encompass a range of devices: acoustic couplers, ear simulators (in the narrower sense of the term), mechanical couplers, and head and torso simulators, which are used to characterise the acoustic output of a variety of transducers including earphones and headphones, hearing aids, bone vibrators, telephone handsets, and hearing protectors.

Standards for measuring aspects of hearing produced by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), e.g. reference hearing thresholds, loudness levels, etc. directly involve the use of head and ear simulators.

WG21 covers the specification and calibration of head and ear simulators used primarily in audiology and hearing aid business, while other branches, as telecommunications and audio engineering also refer to the specifications given in IEC standards.

WG21 does not cover requirements for head and ear simulators primarily used in audio engineering, hearing protection, and telecommunications applications.

Standardisation is necessary for a range of reasons, including:

•Establishing performance requirements to enable high quality head and ear simulators to be produced, tested and marketed

•Description of best practice and current knowledge for calibration, testing, and application of head and ear simulators to support national measurement institutes, calibration laboratories and end users