Latency prediction of earmuff using a lumped parameter model

Attenuation and latency are important performances of earmuff, where the former defines passive noise reduction capability, the latter is a key factor in the design of a feedforward active noise control earmuff. Previously an earmuff lumped parameter model was developed to predict earmuff attenuation. The aim of this work was to predict earmuff latency by using the lumped parameter model (LPM). The latency analytic solution was derived from the time domain transfer function between inside and outside of earmuff using earmuff LPM. Results demonstrated that the decreases of earmuff cushion stiffness, damping, and air stiffness or the increase of earmuff mass would achieve a longer passive latency. To examine the validity of the proposed method, an earmuff prototype was built, and experiments were conducted. The measured attenuation and latency were in agreement with the theoretical prediction. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Attenuation and latency are important performance indicators of earmuffs, and a lumped parameter model can be used to predict these two performances. By decreasing the stiffness, damping, and air stiffness of the earmuff cushion, or increasing the mass of the earmuff, a longer passive latency can be achieved.