Abstract

To specify extra audio amplification & related characteristics of telephony terminals to meet the need of hard-of-hearing people.

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Nov-2003
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
01-Dec-2003
Due Date
01-Dec-2003
Completion Date
01-Dec-2003

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SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003

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SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 is the Slovenian adoption of ETS 300 488 Edition 1 from ETSI. It specifies electro-acoustic characteristics and test methods for telephony terminal equipment with additional receiving amplification for hearing-impaired users, mainly for handset-type equipment connected to PSTN or the basic access S and T reference point of ISDN.

What does SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 specify?

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 specifies how telephones with extra receive amplification are to behave, how they are tested, and what information must accompany them. It is written for terminals intended to be held to the ear, such as traditional handsets and operators' headsets.

The document is organized into:

  • Scope
  • Normative references
  • Definitions and abbreviations
  • Sending characteristics
  • Receiving characteristics
  • Other characteristics
  • Testing methods
  • Annex A, normative
  • Annex B, informative
AnnexWhat it covers
Annex APackaging and labelling, user instructions, and product suppliers information
Annex BBibliography

The scope excludes hands-free or loudspeaking devices and extra sending amplification for people with speech impairments.

What are the key requirements of SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003?

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 keeps the send path aligned with the relevant terminal standard even when extra receive gain is selected. It also sets limits on how much the receive loudness may shift, and it ties the detailed checks to the analogue or digital terminal standard used for the product.

Sending and receiving performance

For sending, the terminal must meet the relevant terminal standard with and without additional receiving amplification selected. The sending sensitivity frequency response and the Sending Loudness Rating (SLR) remain subject to the normal standard, so a higher receive setting must not disturb transmit performance.

For receiving, the terminal must meet the relevant terminal standard when no extra receive amplification is selected. When amplification is selected within the allowed range, the receive frequency response must still satisfy the standard.

With the maximum additional receive amplification selected, the Receiving Loudness Rating (RLR) must be 15 dB ± 5 dB more negative than the nominal requirement of the relevant terminal standard. The document also limits how far the RLR can be made more positive, which matters because very quiet settings can help avoid overloading hearing-aid inputs on short lines.

Stability, echo, distortion and noise

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 keeps the normal sidetone, stability, echo and distortion requirements in force whenever the RLR stays within the permitted range. If the amplification setting pushes the RLR outside that range, the document removes some requirements rather than forcing inconsistent results.

For stability, the relevant terminal standard applies, and an additional stability test is required for the option that keeps the chosen amplification locked in place. For analogue terminals the echo requirement is based on Echo Return Loss (ERL), and for digital terminals it is based on Weighted Terminal Coupling Loss (TCLw).

Distortion and noise are also checked with extra amplification selected, but the test signal level is adjusted to match the chosen gain. In practice, this means the terminal is evaluated as a user would hear it, not only at a fixed laboratory level.

Use, reset behavior and testing

The standard allows two user behaviors: one where extra amplification is cancelled when the handset is replaced, and one where it can stay selected for a frequent hearing-impaired user if the stability requirements are met. That choice affects how the product is built and how users are instructed.

Testing is done with analogue or digital methods depending on the terminal type, and the document allows alternative test signals if they produce the same result or suit the design. Annex A also requires packaging and instructions that tell users how to set the controls and, where relevant, how to work with hearing aids.

What terms does SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 define?

  • Additional receiving amplification - A facility that lets the user increase or decrease receive gain at the ear relative to the relevant terminal standard.
  • Relevant terminal standard - The standard that would apply if the terminal did not provide extra receive amplification.
  • Voice switching - Automatic insertion of attenuation into the send or receive path to help maintain stability.
  • Receiving Loudness Rating (RLR) - The receive loudness measure used to compare the terminal against the nominal requirement.
  • Sending Loudness Rating (SLR) - The send loudness measure used to check transmit performance.
  • Weighted Terminal Coupling Loss (TCLw) - The digital-terminal measure used for coupling and echo-related performance.
  • Echo Return Loss (ERL) - The analogue-terminal measure used for echo-path performance.
  • Automatic Gain Control (AGC) - A gain-limiting method mentioned as a possible way to control output level.

Who uses SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003?

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 is used by telephone and terminal equipment manufacturers, acoustic and conformity test laboratories, telecom quality teams, and product engineers working on accessible telephony. It is also relevant to buyers and technical assessors who need to check that a handset-type terminal is suitable for hearing-impaired users and is documented and labeled correctly.

Which standards are used with SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003?

The document relies on two normative references for detailed test methods:

  • l-ETS 300 245-2 - provides the digital telephony terminal test methods used for ISDN handset telephony.
  • I-ETS 300 480 - provides the analogue handset telephony test methods used for PSTN terminals.

These references supply the detailed measurement procedures that clause 7 and table 1 map to each performance parameter.

What does the SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 document contain?

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 contains separate clauses for sending characteristics, receiving characteristics, other characteristics, and testing methods, so a reader can trace each performance area back to its check method. It includes analogue and digital measurement arrangements shown as figures, plus a summary table that links each parameter to the applicable test method.

Annex A adds the practical product-facing material: packaging and labelling, user instructions, and supplier information for special test techniques. That part matters because the standard is not only about measurements; it also covers how users and test houses are informed about the product's hearing-related functions.

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SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003

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Frequently Asked Questions

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Terminal Equipment (TE); Telephony for hearing impaired people; Characteristics of telephone sets that provide additional receiving amplification for the benefit of the hearing impaired". This standard covers: To specify extra audio amplification & related characteristics of telephony terminals to meet the need of hard-of-hearing people.

To specify extra audio amplification & related characteristics of telephony terminals to meet the need of hard-of-hearing people.

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 11.180.15 - Aids for deaf and hearing impaired people; 33.050.10 - Telephone equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST ETS 300 488 E1:2003 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2003
7HUPLQDOVNDRSUHPD 7( ±7HOHIRQLMD]DVOXãQRSUL]DGHWHOMXGL±.DUDNWHULVWLNH
WHOHIRQVNLKDSDUDWRY]GRGDWQLPVSUHMHPQLPRMDþHYDOQLNRP]DSRPRþVOXãQR
SUL]DGHWLP
Terminal Equipment (TE); Telephony for hearing impaired people; Characteristics of
telephone sets that provide additional receiving amplification for the benefit of the
hearing impaired
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETS 300 488 Edition 1
ICS:
11.180.15 3ULSRPRþNL]DJOXKHRVHEHLQ Aids for deaf and hearing
RVHEH]RNYDURVOXKD impaired people
33.050.10 Telefonska oprema Telephone equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN ETS 300 488
TELECOMMUNICATION January 1996
STANDARD
Source: ETSI TC-TE Reference: DE/TE-04092
ICS: 33.020
Telephony, amplification, ISDN, PSTN, TE, PWSN
Key words:
Terminal Equipment (TE);
Telephony for hearing impaired people;
Characteristics of telephone sets that provide additional
receiving amplification for the benefit of the hearing impaired
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI Secretariat
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX - FRANCE
Postal address:
650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne - FRANCE
Office address:
c=fr, a=atlas, p=etsi, s=secretariat - secretariat@etsi.fr
X.400: Internet:
Tel.: +33 92 94 42 00 - Fax: +33 93 65 47 16
*
Copyright Notification: No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. The copyright and the
foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1996. All rights reserved.

Page 2
ETS 300 488: January 1996
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation and publication of this document, errors in content,
typographical or otherwise, may occur. If you have comments concerning its accuracy, please write to
"ETSI Editing and Committee Support Dept." at the address shown on the title page.

Page 3
ETS 300 488: January 1996
Contents
Foreword .5
Introduction.5
1 Scope .7
2 Normative references.7
3 Definitions and abbreviations .7
3.1 Definitions .7
3.2 Abbreviations .7
4 Sending characteristics .8
4.1 General .8
4.2 Sensitivity frequency response .8
4.3 Sending Loudness Rating.8
5 Receiving characteristics.8
5.1 General .8
5.2 Sensitivity frequency response .8
5.3 Receiving Loudness Rating .8
5.4 Restoring normal receive amplification.9
6 Other characteristics .9
6.1 Sidetone.9
6.2 Stability.9
6.2.1 Analogue and digital sets .9
6.2.2 Additional stability test .10
6.3 Echo path loss .10
6.3.1 Echo Return Loss (ERL) .10
6.3.2 Weighted Terminal Coupling Loss (TCLw) .10
6.4 Distortion.10
6.4.1 Sending .10
6.4.2 Receiving.10
6.4.3 Sidetone .10
6.4.4 Sending power handing capability.10
6.4.5 Receiving power handling capability .11
6.5 Noise.11
6.5.1 Sending .11
6.5.2 Receiving.11
6.6 Acoustic shock.11
7 Testing methods.11
7.1 Analogue telephones .11
7.2 Digital telephones .12
7.3 Summary of test methods.13
Annex A (normative): Packaging, labelling and user instructions .14
A.1 Packaging and labelling .14
A.2 User instructions.14
A.3 Product suppliers information.14
Annex B (informative): Bibliography.15

Page 4
ETS 300 488: January 1996
History. 16

Page 5
ETS 300 488: January 1996
Foreword
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) was produced by the Terminal Equipment (TE)
Technical Committee of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
Transposition dates
Date of adoption of this ETS: 12 January 1996
Date of latest announcement of this ETS (doa): 30 April 1996
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this ETS (dop/e): 31 October 1996
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 31 October 1996
Introduction
This ETS specifies the requirements for telephones with receive amplification intended to aid the hearing
impaired. A significant proportion of the population is disabled by varying degrees of hearing loss, often
associated with a reduction of speech discrimination ability. Amplification can only replace the lost
sensitivity.
The group most likely to receive the greatest benefit from the use of a telephone with additional receive
amplification are those with moderate to severe hearing losses in the range of 35 dB to 80 dB.
In setting the numerical values in this ETS, consideration has been given to the fact that the sound
pressure levels at the ear during a telephone conversation can be up to 30 dB above those occurring in
normal face-to-face conversation (at 1 metre distance). As hearing impaired people do not necessarily
have elevated thresholds of loudness discomfort, some form of output limitation will be required. Recent
work has indicated that Automatic Gain Control (AGC) may provide a better means of limitation than peak
clipping. In addition, it is recognized that in order to give maximum intelligibility to some hearing impaired
people, the frequency response may require shaping.
Two types of application are envisaged. Firstly, where the telephone is to be used in the main by a hearing
impaired person, secondly where it will be used by persons with a range of hearing acuity. In the first case
it will be advantageous to maintain the receive amplification (the level of which is selected by means of a
volume control set by the hearing impaired user) when the handset is replaced. In the second, it may be
preferable to arrange that the additional amplification is brought into use by the operation of a latching
switch that automatically resets the gain to nominal level when the handset is replaced in its rest position.
The use of voice switched attenuation, perhaps 10 dB to 12 dB, may be necessary to provide protection
against instability, in particular for the first case, and could also improve the discrimination against the
ambient noise received through the sidetone path.
It is estimated that with the provision of additional amplification to the levels recommended below, possibly
up to 80 % of hearing impaired users would benefit even when not using their hearing aids to couple to the
telephone set. If a hearing aid is worn in addition and inductive coupling is also provided, then the
proportion of hearing impaired users who will be able to have satisfactory telephone conversations will
increase further. It is, however, pointed out that with a high gain setting selected, the sound level and/or
inductive field at the earphone may be considerably higher than normally experienced by hearing aid
microphones and/or inductive pick-up coils and, on short telephone connections in particular, there is a
very real possibility of overloading the input stages of the hearing aid. For this reason, this ETS permits
the Receiving Loudness Rating (RLR) to be adjusted to be quieter than the requirements of the relevant
terminal standard.
The inclusion of additional receiving amplification does not reduce or replace existing technical standards
that apply to a handset. Additional receiving amplification may be combined with other additional
functionality, such as inductive coupling or additional earpieces, provided specifically for people with
special needs.
Page 6
ETS 300 488: January 1996
Blank page
Page 7
ETS 300 488: January 1996
1 Scope
This ETS specifies the electro-acoustic performance characteristics of telephony terminals which are
intended for direct application to the ear (e.g. traditional handsets, operators' headsets) and which
provide, at the earphone, additional amplification in the receiving direction compared with the Receiving
Loudness Rating (RLR) specified in the relevant terminal standard.
This ETS applies to telephony terminals that can be connected to the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) or the coincident S and T reference point of the basic access of the Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN).
Hands free or loudspeaking devices and extra amplification in sending for the benefit of people having
speech impairments are outside the scope of this ETS.
2 Normative references
This ETS incorporates by dated and undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this ETS only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest
edition of the publication referred to applies.
[1] l-ETS 300 245-2: "Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN); Technical
characteristics of telephony terminals; Part 2: PCM A-law, handset telephony".
[2] I-ETS 300 480: "Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN); Testing
specification for analogue handset telephony".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this ETS, the following definitions apply:
additional receiving amplification: A facility provided in a terminal whereby the gain in the receiving
direction from telephone line to ear may be increased (or decreased), relative to that required by the
relevant terminal standard, for the purpose of enabling the user to select, within certain limits, his/her
preferred receiving loudness.
relevant terminal standard: A standard which would apply if the terminal concerned did not provide
additional receiving amplification for the benefit of hearing impaired users.
voice switching: A process of automatically inserting attenuation into either the send or receive path (e.g.
in order to maintain stability) controlled by the receive or send signal.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this ETS, the following abbreviations apply:
AGC Automatic Gain Control
ERL Echo Return Loss
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
LSTR Listener Sidetone Rating
LRGP Loudness Rating Guardring Position
MRP Mouth Reference point
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
RLR Receiving Loudness Rating
SLR Sending Loudness Rating
STMR Sidetone Masking Rating
TCLw Weighted Terminal Coupling Loss
TE Terminal Equipment
Page 8
ETS 300 488: January 1996
4 Sending characteristics
4.1 General
The sending characteristics shall meet the requirements of the relevant terminal standards both with and
without additional receiving amplification selected.
4.2 Sensitivity frequency response
When in the sending condition, the sending sensitivity frequency response shall fulfil the requirements of
the relevant terminal standards, irrespective of any
...