Noise in miniature microphones

The internal noise spectrum in miniature electret microphones of the type used in the manufacture of hearing aids is measured. An analogous circuit model of the microphone is empirically fit to the measured data and used to determine the important sources of noise within the microphone. The dominant noise source is found to depend on the frequency. Below 40 Hz and above 9 kHz, the dominant source is electrical noise from the amplifier circuit needed to buffer the electrical signal from the microphone diaphragm. Between approximately 40 Hz and 1 kHz, the dominant source is thermal noise originating in the acoustic flow resistance of the small hole pierced in the diaphragm to equalize barometric pressure. Between approximately 1 kHz and 9 kHz, the noise originates in the acoustic flow resistances of sound entering the microphone and propagating to the diaphragm. To further reduce the microphone internal noise in the audio band requires attacking these sources. A prototype microphone having reduced acoustical noise is measured and discussed.

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Work Title Noise in miniature microphones
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Beard, John J.
  2. Ballad,William J.
  3. Thompson, Stephen C.
  4. Nepomuceno, Henry G.
  5. Carlson, Elmer V.
  6. Ring, Eugene M.
  7. LoPresti, Janice L.
Keyword
  1. noise
  2. acoustical impedance
  3. microphone
License All rights reserved
Work Type Article
Deposited August 11, 2017

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added MicNoise.pdf
  • Added Creator Beard, John J.
  • Added Creator Ballad,William J.
  • Added Creator Thompson, Stephen C.
  • Added Creator Nepomuceno, Henry G.
  • Added Creator Carlson, Elmer V.
  • Added Creator Ring, Eugene M.
  • Added Creator LoPresti, Janice L.
  • Published
  • Updated