Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold (REAT) Systems for Hearing Protector Testing

Overview

VIacoustics Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold (REAT) audiometric measurement systems test in accordance with standard test methods* on earplugs, earmuffs and other hearing protection devices and systems. The REATPro software, when used in conjunction with our Trident software, also supports many other measurements commonly conducted in hearing protector test laboratories, including MIRE and fixture based testing of hearing protectors. REATPro is an automatic Bekesey audiometer program designed to provide stimulus and track responses for sound field hearing threshold determination for both occluded and unoccluded conditions. REATPro also provides calibrated signal generation for all tests including MIRE and fixture based tests.

Features:

Tracks both unoccluded and occluded hearing thresholds
Provides both thresholds and trace history
Provides tools for sound field calibration
Automated attenuator control and gain adjustment
Data export into MSExcel for post-process analysis and reporting

Contact us about building a Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold system featuring our REATPro Software for your audiometric testing lab. Browse through the components that make up these systems, features of the REATPro software, and services provided on the following tabs.

*Standardized test methods:

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40, Part 211, Subpart B – Hearing Protective Devices

ISO 4869-1:2018 Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 1: Subjective method for the measurement of sound attenuation

ISO 4869-3:2007 Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 3: Measurement of insertion loss of ear-muff type protectors using an acoustic test fixture

ISO/TS 4869-5:2006 Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 5: Method for estimation of noise reduction using fitting by inexperienced test subjects

ANSI S12.6 – Methods for Measuring the Real-Ear Attenuation of Hearing Protector

ANSI/ASA S12.42 American National Standard 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

ANSI S3.19 – Method for Measurement of Real-Ear Protection of Hearing Protectors and Physical Attenuation Ear Muffs

Australian/New Zealand Standard 1270:2002, Acoustics – Hearing Protectors

Components

REATPro Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold Software

Trident

NI PXI Chassis

NI PXIe-4463

NI PXIe-4464

NI PXI-6220

G.R.A.S. 46AQ

G.R.A.S. Low Noise Microphone Systems

G.R.A.S. Microphone Calibrators

Desktop PC

Features

REATPro provides flexible configuration options to support a variety of data acquisition systems and audiometric testing protocols.

The Output Configuration tab allows you to assign output channels to each channel of the REAT sound system and configure key system settings. Equalization is available for each channel, as well as system wide, in order to generate a uniform sound field and achieve maximum repeatability. REATPro supports relay controlled L-pad attenuators for an extremely low noise floor.

In the Response Switch tab the switch device input is selected. REATPro supports mechanical or optical switches, and can detect if the switch is present and functioning before start of test to prevent runaway noise. There is also an option for the subject to activate fitting noise with the response switch.

The REATPro Stimulus Sequence setup tab allows you to configure the frequencies to be presented and the order in which they will be presented. Preset frequency lists and presentation orders that meet industry standards are provided for quick configuration of the stimulus sequence. Or use customized stimulus from WAV files and utilize the extended frequency range (63Hz – 16kHz) to help further your research.

The REATPro Timing and Threshold configuration screen provides complete user control over the audiometric threshold determination parameters associated with the test. Threshold seeking rates and reversal count settings can be controlled here in order to either reduce time to threshold or increase the accuracy of the thresholds.

Use of prior subject threshold and expected protector attenuation also reduces the time it takes to reach both unoccluded and occluded hearing thresholds.

The HL/SPL tab gives the option to report thresholds as hearing level or sound pressure level and makes the conversion as per ANSI S3.6-2010.

The Alarms and Sounds setup screen allows remote operator monitoring of test. The test operator can also configure custom alert sounds for system events and custom noises for fitting and insertion loss measurements, all from user defined WAV files.

The File Locations tab is used to configure how data is saved to a local or network drive. Data can be sorted by subject threshold history, protector testing history, or by study files for specific research or noise reduction ratings.

REATPro configuration settings can be saved and reloaded into REATPro when the application is first started. This allows the test facility technical manager to optimize the system configuration settings for the unique needs of the laboratory, and then the test technician can simply be taught to retrieve this settings file when REATPro is started. Configuration files can be password locked to prevent changes by system users.

The Manual / Calibration tab can be used to present and calibrate any stimulus at any level to any or all outputs, continuously or pulsed. This can be useful for subject training, checking that the sound system is functioning and troubleshooting problems.

Creates test documentation and retrieves prior thresholds from subject for comparison with current thresholds as required by ANSI S12.6.

Define test type: qualifying subject, training as subject, conducting protector test.
Subjects are tracked by subject ID for HIPA compliance.
Document what protector is being tested.
Load expected attenuation to speed up occluded threshold seeking.

Runs in automated manor from first to last frequency.
Runs both unoccluded and occluded modes.
Unoccluded mode has max level protections to ensure subject safety.
Provides level tracking and current threshold info with comparison to prior threshold.

REATPro provides seamless data export to MSExcel based template files that users can customize to meet their own data analysis and reporting needs. Both Unoccluded and Occluded thresholds, as well as the standard deviations of the trace reversal mid points used to derive the threshold are exported. A file header section provides documentation on all test setup parameters. Optionally, users may also export the sound pressure level vs time trace history to MSExcel for detailed analysis of threshold determination time and reversal history.

Allows comparison of subject threshold to qualifying average. Comparison of unoccluded thresholds within a session. Indicates compliance with ANSI S12.6 requirements.

Services

System Integration

VIacoustics turnkey measurement systems are built in a working acoustics laboratory and are fully assembled, calibrated and tested for plug and play operation when the arrive at your site. This includes assembly of system hardware, installation of drivers and software, system configuration and calibration and providing labeled cables and connectors for full system function on installation.

Onsite Installation & Training

System Support Services

Consulting Services

VIacoustics can offer you a wide variety of acoustic and quality system consulting services that can help you build an acoustic measurement program from a basic sound level measurement to a fully accredited test laboratory. And, we can also help you make your products quieter and sound better to your customers. Here’s just a few of the consulting services we typically provide to our clients.

Acoustic Consulting on Product Noise – Understanding of product specifications, regulatory requirements, test methods, and basic acoustic principals as it relates to your product, equipment, or situation. Many clients who are experiencing acoustic noise emission requirements for the first time need these services just to understand the basics of the technology and the measurements required.

Acoustic Consulting on Acoustic Measurements and Laboratory Design – We’ve been involved in the construction and instrumentation of literally hundreds of acoustic measurement laboratories throughout the world for the past 30+ years. Some were basic acoustic measurement test benches in small companies and some were the largest, accredited test laboratories in the US. We can help you plan for what you need to build an acoustics program in your company that will meet your needs.

Acoustic Consulting for Product Noise Control – Working with David Nelson of Nelson Acoustics, one of the leading noise control consultants and sound quality experts in the US, VIacoustics can offer you acoustic consulting services that will help you reduce, control and engineer the sounds that come from your product to meet regulatory requirements, product specifications or customer acceptance criteria. David employs common sense engineering principals to help you meet your product noise goals. His extensive work in psychoacoustics and sound quality help our customers learn how to make acoustic engineering a product advantage that pays for itself in increased sales and profit margins.

ISO 17025 Quality System Consulting for Acoustics Laboratories – Jeff G. Schmitt, P.E., Principal Engineer for VIacoustics has a strong background and experience in helping acoustics laboratories prepared for accreditation under ISO 17025. He serves as an acoustics laboratory assessor for the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and has been trained in the concepts of ISO 17025 quality systems. From his early involvement with the first NVLAP accredited acoustics laboratory in the US, to the US Government and private sector companies he has helped, Jeff has been involved in the accreditation of numerous acoustics laboratories in the US. Jeff takes a very practical and organized approach to developing quality systems that fit the needs of the laboratory, rather it be a small company operation or a large government laboratory.

Pricing

Please contact VIacoustics at for information on pricing.