ASA 130th Meeting - St. Louis, MO - 1995 Nov 27 .. Dec 01

3aNSa6. Instrument calibration: The hearing conservationist's perspective.

Kevin L. Michael

Michael & Assoc., Inc., 246 Woodland Dr., State College, PA 16803

The audiometer is a critical element of the hearing conservationist's daily routine. The measurement of hearing thresholds with an instrument that is out of calibration can result in errors in permanent records, loss of work time due to retesting, and potential legal action. Subjective audiometer calibration must be part of the hearing conservationist's daily procedure. Calibration of the industrial audiometer must be performed at specified intervals at an appropriate laboratory. Factors related to the calibration procedure including cost, thoroughness, standards and the differences between calibration of industrial and clinical equipment are of interest to the hearing conservationist. Related issues including ambient room noise in the test booth, computer-based audiometry and the field measurement hearing protector attenuation must also be considered.