ISO 4869 insertion loss testing offers a reliable and standardised method for measuring the acoustic attenuation of hearing protectors. This testing is essential for assessing performance consistency across production batches, verifying compliance for product certification, and identifying any changes in effectiveness due to wear, ageing, or material degradation. By providing accurate, repeatable data, ISO 4869 testing ensures that ear defenders, earplugs, and other hearing protection devices meet safety regulations and deliver the protection levels users expect.
This type of testing requires a reverberant and diffuse space, ensuring the acoustic energy incident on the hearing protectors is equal from all possible angles. Our acoustic transmission suite is a hard-walled space comprising of steel and rendered concrete block, with a number of configurable suspended acoustic diffuser panels to ensure the validity of the sound field for this type of testing.
An insertion loss test measures the difference in sound levels with and without the hearing protector fitted to a precision acoustic test fixture. The reduction in sound level indicates the isolation performance of the device. For accurate and repeatable results, the test is conducted in a diffuse sound field, ensuring sound energy reaches the test specimen from all directions with equal intensity and random phase—replicating real-world listening conditions as closely as possible.
Results are provided in a detailed report containing all the information you need regarding the installation, testing methodology and performance specifications of your device. As a research laboratory, we are also in an excellent position to provide bespoke data analysis and reporting options to support product development or product comparison.
Sound insulation testing – ISO 10140-2
Medical devices (Noise and Vibration) – IEC 60601-1
Occupational vibration – ISO 5349
Absorption coefficient testing – ISO 10534-1
Loudspeakers and Audio Electronics – ISO 60268
Don’t see what you need in this list? Get in touch to enquire about our full testing capabilities
Amongst our extensive array of acoustic measurement equipment, we also have specialised test equipment typically utilised for R&D and QC, including stock of the following:
Laser doppler vibrometer; Head and Torso Simulator; Force transducer; Accelerometers; Electrodynamic shaker; Acoustic intensity probe; Reference sound power source; Artificial ear
The expert team at KP Acoustics Research Labs spent a combined 30+ years in the education sector designing, managing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, as well as accredited and bespoke professional courses. Let us help your first-line support, technical advisors, design consultants, sales and marketing teams promote confidence in your products and services by fully understanding the terminology and underpinning concepts behind the acoustic performance, compliance requirements, and practical applications relevant to your industry.
