BS EN 60645-1:2017

What is BS EN 60645‑1-Electroacoustics for pure-tone and speech audiometry about?  

BS EN 60645 is a European standard that discusses audiometric equipment. BS EN 60645‑1 provides the best industry guidance on electroacoustics for pure-tone and speech audiometry to measure hearing sensitivity. 

BS EN 60645‑1 is the first of a multi-part series that specifies general requirements for audiometers designed for use in determining hearing threshold levels, relative to standard reference threshold levels established using psychoacoustic test methods, and those designed to perform psychoacoustic tests using speech material.  

The object of BS EN 60645‑1 is to ensure: 

• That tests of hearing in the frequency range 125 Hz to 16 kHz on a given human ear, performed with different pure-tone audiometers which comply with BS EN 60645‑1, give the same results 
• That the results obtained represent a valid comparison between the hearing of the ear tested and the reference threshold of hearing 
• That a means of presenting speech material to a subject in a standardized manner is provided. This will ensure that tests of hearing using a specific speech signal and a specific manner of signal presentation, when performed with different audiometers which comply with this standard, give the same results 
• Those audiometers are classified according to the range of test signals they present, according to the mode of operation, or according to their presumed primary application 

Who is BS EN 60645‑1-Electroacoustics for pure-tone and speech audiometry for? 

BS EN 60645‑1 on electroacoustics for pure-tone and speech audiometry is useful for: 

• Acoustics engineers 
• Audiometric equipment manufacturers 
• Audiometric equipment test personnel 
• Quality assurance departments  

Why should you use BS EN 60645‑1-Electroacoustics for pure-tone and speech audiometry?  

Developments in the field of hearing measurements for diagnostic, hearing conservation and rehabilitation purposes have resulted in the availability of a wide range of audiometers. Addition is possible to consider the audiometer in terms of a set of functional units which can be specified independently. BS EN 60645‑1 describes the performance requirements for pure-tone audiometers, which are designed for the measurement of hearing in the frequency range from 125 Hz to 16 kHz, and speech audiometers, which are designed for performing live or recorded speech audiometry.  

BS EN 60645‑1 provides you with requirements by type and class of audiometer, general safety requirements, acoustic safety requirements, environmental conditions, warm-up time, electromagnetic compatibility, speech signal requirements, and much more. 

The requirements provided by BS EN 60645‑1 assist you in improving the performance and quality of audiometric equipment and ensure to prevent the occurrence or reduce the progression of noise-induced hearing loss. 

With obedience and compliance of BS EN 60645‑1, you can enhance the efficacy of the audiometric equipment and manufacture a standardized product. 

What is changed since the last update?   

BS EN 60645‑1:2017 supersedes BS EN 60645‑1:2015 and BS EN 60645‑2:1997 which is withdrawn. BS EN 60645‑1:2017 has included the requirements for both pure-tone (prior edition of IEC 60645-1) and speech audiometers (prior edition of IEC 60645-2) into a single document. compared to the previous edition BS EN 60645‑1:2015 and BS EN 60645‑2:1997. The technical requirements in BS EN 60645‑1:2017 remain like the intent of the prior two documents, but now eliminate technical and editorial contradictions caused by two separate standards with different review cycles applying to an audiometer.