Product Data

Anechoic Test Chamber — Type 4222

USES: ❍ Wide frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 kHz
❍ Rapid and reliable testing of hearing aids and ❍ Total harmonic distortion less than 0.5% up to 70 dB
microphones in a uniform sound field SPL
❍ Investigations into hearing aids, microphones and ❍ Uniform sound field across the measurement plane
earphones ❍ Usable for pressure microphones down to 100 Hz
❍ Usable for ordinary pressure gradient microphones
down to approx. 400 Hz
FEATURES:
❍ Provides good insulation response even without
❍ Approximates the free-progressive sound field as compressio
specified by IEC 118
❍ SPL at microphone opening conforms to ANSI
S3.22-1992

The Anechoic Test Chamber Type

4222 is a small anechoic chamber
with a built-in sound source. It is in-
tended for use with external instru-
mentation such as the Audio
Analyzer Type 2012, or Measuring
Amplifier, and Sine Generator for
measurements on small test items
such as hearing aids and micro-
phones. The design of the chamber
provides well-defined uniform test
conditions and a high degree of insu-
lation from external noise, especially
at low frequencies, important re-
quirements for obtaining accurate
and repeatable measurements.
The chamber consists primarily of
two sections, see Fig.1. The free
standing lower section is mounted on
a metal support and houses the
measuring region. The upper section,
housing the sound source, is hinged
to it at the rear. The top is opened
using a handle at the front, giving
access to the measuring plane and
the support net on which the test ob-
ject, coupler, and microphone are
placed. A gas-filled, spring-damper
balances the top and maintains it in
an open or closed position.
The loudspeaker serving as the
sound source is mounted in a wooden
baffle which forms part of the acous-
tic enclosure built into the top. Ex-
cept for the central region, which is
open to allow free propagation of
sound from the loudspeaker, the lid

Brüel & Kjær B K



,




, ,
is filled with glass wool, protected

,,




,,


Loudspeaker
and contained by a fabric covering Loudspeaker Enclosure


  
stretched over a wire frame. This ar-


Loudspeaker Baffle

,,,
rangement prevents interference Glass Wool
from the rear of the loudspeaker cone
Polyurethane
and avoids distortion caused by inter- Foam


 

action between the loudspeaker and
Glass Fibre
the structural resonances of the Shell
chamber. The sound field uniformity


,,,

Polyurethane Wire Support
and frequency response characteris- Foam
tics are improved and the distortion Loudspeaker
reduced. Handle Connection
Measuring Plane
When the top of the chamber is
closed, sound waves from the loud- Glass Wool Hinge



speaker are directed across the meas-
uring plane and into the anechoic
space below. A large volume of sound
absorbing material is packed beyond Balancing
and around this space in order to ab- Spring Damper
sorb unwanted reflections within the
chamber and so ensure uniform, ap-
proximately free-field conditions*
necessary for measurement and com-
parison of hearing aids. The internal
frames over which the fabric covering
is stretched, and on which the sup- Aluminium Support
porting net with the test items is
placed in the measuring plane, are
made from thin wire for the same
reason.
The structural outer shell of the
chamber is moulded in hard wearing, Rubber Foot
impact resistant fibreglass. Bonded 780761/1e

to the inside of this shell is a damp-

ing layer of high density poly- Fig.1 Sectional drawing of the Test Chamber
urethane foam to reduce undesirable
structural resonances, and to provide
addition al airborne sound insulation.
The loudspeaker is especially de-
signed for its excellent frequency re-
sponse and dynamic range with very
low distortion. Total harmonic distor-
tion is less than 0,5% at 70 dB SPL,
and meets the IEC 118 and the ANSI
S3.22 requirements for equipment for
the specification of hearing aid char-
acteristics over the frequency range
200 Hz to 8 kHz.
Typical uncorrected frequency
characteristics and sound field uni-
formity are shown in Fig.3. The up-
per curve shows, as a function of
frequency, the possible variation of
sound pressure within the measuring
circle.
As well as providing a suitable test
environment internally, the chamber
must also attenuate external noise.
False results may be obtained if the
noise levels in the measuring plane
* Directional hearing aids with pressure gradi-
ent microphones should normally be tested in
a regular anechoic chamber as an absolutely
free-field, plane wave is needed for optimum
accuracy. For general comparison work, how-
ever, satisfactory results can be obtained us- Fig.2 Interior view of the chamber showing the measuring plane and the loudspeaker
ing Type 4222 with 0 sound incidence. position

2
due to external noise break-in ap-
±3
proach the test sound pressure level. dB
The structure of the shell has a typ- ±2
Maximum Change around the
ical airborne sound insulation as Measurement Circle
±1
shown in Fig.4. Virtually any normal
office or quality control department 0
will provide a suitable acoustic envi-
Frequency Characteristics
ronment in which to perform tests without Compression
using the Type 4222.
95

Use of Anechoic Test Chamber 90

Type 4222
85
For easy comparison both with other
aids and their own previous perform-
ance, tests on hearing aids must be 10 20 50 1000 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10 k 20 k
Frequency (Hz)
carried out under controlled condi
790791/4e
tions. The Anechoic Test Chamber
Type 4222 provides such repeatable, Fig.3 Curve showing the frequency characteristics (lower) and the uniformity of the sound
field within the measurement region (upper)
constant sound pressure level condi-
tions over the measuring plane inside
the chamber.
Typical hearing aid measuring sys- 50
tems, see Fig.5, consist of two main
Airborne Insulation (dB)

sections. The first sets up and regu-

lates the sound field while the second 40
analyses the signal from the hearing
aid and records the result.
The sound field is set up in the
30
chamber by a loudspeaker driven by
a generator which performs a fre-
quency sweep. To be able to interpret
the resulting curves easily, the sound 20

pressure at the test plane must be

held constant at a pre-defined level 10 20 50 1000 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10 k 20 k
throughout the test frequency range. 1/3 Octave Centre Frequency (Hz)
790780/1e
This is achieved by first using the
reference microphone to measure the Fig.4 Airborne sound insulation of the Test Chamber

Sound
Source
Audio Analyzer
2012 Power Amplifier
WQ 1105 Anechoic Test
Chamber
4222
Reference
Microphone

4192/2669
Preamp. Common
Ear Simulator
4157

Hearing Aid
under Test

921740/1e

Fig.5 Test set-up hearing aid measurements using Audio Analyzer Type 2012

3
 Fig.7 Test object with Ear Simulator Type
4157 in position on the measuring plane

which permit easy coupling of all

types of insert earphones and hearing
aids.
Instead of the Ear Simulator, the
2 cm3 Coupler DB 0138 can be
used.The coupler is made to IEC and
ANSI requirements, and fits directly
on 1-inch microphones and on 1/2-
Fig.6 Frequency Response (upper graph) and Total Harmonic Distortion (lower graph) inch types using adaptor UA 0873.
measured on a hearing aid using Audio Analyzer Type 2018 The 1/2-inch Type 4192 or 1-inch
Type 4144 pressure microphones, to-
frequency response of the loudspeak- hering aid. Typical hering aid fre- gether with Microphone Preamplifier
er at the reference position in the quency response and distortion Type 2642 are recommended.
measuring plane. From this response curves are shown in fig. 6. The microphone or hearing aid sig-
nal is fed to an analysis and record-
output weightning data is calculated The Couplers Ear Simulator Type ing system, which may be a
to be able to produce a constant 4157 is delivered fully assembled and measuring amplifier and level record-
sound pressure level independent of calibrated and has its own 1/2-inch er for simple frequency response tests
frequency. The hering aid to be tested Microphone built in. Before use it is or a more comprehensive instrumen-
is connected to a coupler and placed necessary to connect the Microphone tation setup for investigation or re-
at the reference position. The analyz- with the Preamplifier and to fit the search.
er now weights its output to produce correct adaptor for mounting the
a constant sound pressure level and hearing aid's earphone see fig. 7. A
measures the acoustical output of the wide range of adaptors are supplied

4
Specifications 4222
FREQUENCY RANGE: DISTORTION:
100 Hz to 10 Hz < 0.5% total harmonic distortion at 70 dB SPL
DIMENSIONS
DYNAMIC RANGE: ACOUSTIC COUPLERS (OPTIONAL): Overall height 1060 mm (42 in)
From below 50 dB to above 90 dB SPL (re. 2 cm3 coupler DB 0138 to IEC 126 1971 and Max. diameter 715 mm (28 in)
20µPa) ANSI S3.7-1973
Occluded Ear Simulator Type 4157 to IEC 711 WEIGHT:
MEASURING REGION: 1982 and ANSI S3.25-1979 40 kg. (88 lb)
Circular with a diameter of 50 mm

UNIFORMITY OF THE SOUND FIELD:

The free-field sound level within the measuring COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS:
region is equal to the regulated SPL within:
250 Hz: ±0.1 dB
500 Hz: ±0.3 dB CE-mark indicates compliance with: EMC Directive.
1000 Hz: ±0.4 dB
2000 Hz: ±0.4 dB
4000 Hz: ±0.9 dB EMC Emission EN 50081–1 (1992): Generic emission standard. Part 1: Residential,
6000 Hz: ±1.2 dB commercial and light industry.
10000 Hz: ±2.5 dB CISPR 22 (1993): Limits and methods of radio disturbance characteristics of
information technology equipment. Class B Limits.
INSULATION AGAINST ARIBORN NOISE:
100 Hz: ≥20 dB FCC Class B limits.
200 Hz: ≥31 dB
500 Hz: ≥32 dB EMC Immunity EN 50082–1 (1992): Generic immunity standard. Part 1: Residential,
1000 Hz: ≥34 dB commercial and light industry.
2000 Hz: ≥38 dB Note: The above is guaranteed using accessories listed in this Product Data
10000 Hz: ≥40 dB sheet only.

LOUDSPEAKER: Temperature IEC 68–2–1 & IEC 68–2–2: Environmental Testing. Cold and Dry Heat.
Specially designed 5 W, Impedance 8 Ω Operating Temperature: –5 to +40°C
Sensitivity: 0.8 V RMS produces 90 dB SPL at Storage Temperature: –25 to +70°C
1 kHz
Humidity IEC 68–2–3: 90% RH (non-condensing at 40°C)

Ordering Information
Type 4222 Anechoic Test Chamber Type 2642 Microphone Preamplifier
DB 0962 Adaptor for 1″ Microphone
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: WH 0880 Telecoil
JP 0402 Loudspeaker plug

ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE:
DB 0138 2 cm3 Coupler
UA 0873 1″ to 1/2″ coupler adaptor
Type 4144 1″ Microphone
Type 4192 1/2″ Microphone

Brüel&Kjær reserves the right to change specifications and accessories without notice

5
Brüel & Kjær B K

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