Frequency Response and Distortion Measurement of Headsets for Use in Auditory Sonar Displays

This research was prompted by the need to select a suitable headset for auditory processing of passive sonar information. Essential to making such selection is the accurate measurement of headphone frequency response as worn on the average listener. We evaluated 24 commercially available headsets for suitability in accurately presenting auditory sonar information. The evaluation employs a digitized transfer-function correction technique, which was developed in-house and reported in a previous paper. Eleven headset models exhibiting the most linear corrected frequency response 10 to 16 dB total variation were further evaluated for total harmonic distortion. All earphone measurements were made using a commercially available acoustic test mannikin containing an ear simulating coupler. This electroacoustic information is of value in sonar headset selection for optimal transfer of the acoustic signal to the listener. Keywords: Aural detection, and Distortion measurement.