Going wireless and booth-less for hearing testing in industry.

Going wireless and booth-less for hearing testing in industry.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Dec 15;:1-11

Authors: Meinke DK, Norris JA, Flynn BP, Clavier OH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the test-retest variability of hearing thresholds obtained with an innovative, mobile wireless automated hearing-test system (WAHTS) with enhanced sound attenuation to test industrial workers at a worksite as compared to standardised automated hearing thresholds obtained in a mobile trailer sound booth.
DESIGN: A within-subject repeated-measures design was used to compare air-conducted threshold tests (500-8000 Hz) measured with the WAHTS in six workplace locations, and a third test using computer-controlled audiometry obtained in a mobile trailer sound booth. Ambient noise levels were measured in all test environments.
STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty workers served as listeners and 20 workers served as operators.
RESULTS: On average, the WAHTS resulted in equivalent thresholds as the mobile trailer audiometry at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 8000 Hz and thresholds were within ±5 dB at 500, 4000 and 6000 Hz.
CONCLUSIONS: Comparable performance may be obtained with the WAHTS in occupational audiometry and valid thresholds may be obtained in diverse test locations without the use of sound-attenuating enclosures.

PMID: 27976975 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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