An improved lumped parameter model predicting attenuation of earmuff with air leakage

Abstract

Since air leakage is inevitable when earmuffs are worn improperly or together with safety glasses in factory or military, it is required to be considered to accurately predict earmuff attenuation. Besides unwanted air leakage, under controlled air leakage is introduced to earmuff to achieve adjustable attenuations in different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and balance between attenuation and speech intelligibility. This work is to develop an improved lumped parameter model (LPM) to predict earmuff attenuation with consideration of air leakage. Air leakage paths are introduced into conventional LPM without air leakage, and air leakage path impedance is analytically described by Maa’s microperforated tube impedance. Earmuff passive attenuation behavior can be analytically described and analyzed with the improved LPM. Finally, the validity of improved LPM is verified experimentally. The results indicate that the improved LPM can predict earmuff attenuation with air leakage, and air leakage deteriorates earmuff attenuation and turns resonance frequency higher.