[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 24]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR211.206-1]



[Page 180]

 

                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

 

         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 211_PRODUCT NOISE LABELING--Table of Contents

 

                  Subpart B_Hearing Protective Devices

 

Sec.  211.206-1  Real ear method.



    (a) The value of sound attenuation to be used in the calculation of 

the Noise Reduction Rating must be determined according to the ``Method 

for the Measurement of Real-Ear Protection of Hearing Protectors and 

Physical Attenuation of Earmuffs.'' This standard is approved as the 

American National Standards Institute Standard (ANSI STD) S3.19-1974. 

The provisions of this standard, with the modifications indicated below, 

are included by reference in this section. Copies of this standard may 

be obtained from: American National Standards Institute, Sales 

Department, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.

    (b) For the purpose of this subpart only, sections 1, 2, 3 and 

appendix A of the standard, as modified below, shall be applicable. 

These sections describe the ``Real Ear Method.'' Other portions of the 

standard are not applicable in this section.

    (1) The sound field characteristics described in paragraph 3.1.1.3 

are ``required.''

    (2) Sections 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 shall be accomplished in this order 

during the same testing session. Any breaks in testing should not allow 

the subject to engage in any activity that may cause a Temporary 

Threshold Shift.

    (3) Section 3.3.3.1(1) shall not apply. Only ``Experimenter fit'' 

described in Section 3.3.3.1(2) is permitted.

    (4) Section 3.3.3.3 applies to all devices except custom-molded 

devices. When testing custom-molded devices, each test subject must 

receive his own device molded to fit his ear canal.



[44 FR 56139, Sept. 28, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 8275, Feb. 6, 1980]