DIN EN 60118-15:2012-12

The characterisation of hearing aids in actual use can differ significantly from those determined in accordance with standards such as IEC 60118-0 and IEC 60118-7. These standards use non speech-like test signals with the hearing aid set to specific settings which are, in general, not comparable with typical user settings. This standard describes a recommended speech-like test signal, the International Speech Test Signal (ISTS), and a method for the characterisation of hearing aids using this signal with the hearing aid set to actual user settings or to the manufacturers' recommended settings for one of a range of audiograms. For the purposes of this standard the hearing aid is considered to be a combination of the physical hearing aid and the fitting software which accompanies it. The procedure uses a speech-like test signal and the hearing aid settings are set to those programmed for an individual end-user or those recommended by the manufacturer for a typical end-user for a range of flat, moderately sloping or steep sloping audiograms. This is to achieve that the measured characteristics are comparable to those which may be obtained by a wearer at typical user settings. The responsible committee is Joint Subcommittee DKE/GUK 821.6 "Hörgeräte und audiometrische Messtechnik" ("Hearing aids and audiometric measurements") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.