MA 1 Operating Manual
8
8100216-3
(D-0100192)
7.
Audiometric Testing
7.1.
Instructing the Patient:
Place the patient at ease concerning the test. Explain the purpose of the test and what
kind of sound or sounds will be heard. An unvarying and uniform explanation to the
person being tested will help provide test results that are consistently high in reliability.
Instructions might be expressed as follows: “I am going to place these headphones on
your ears. You will hear a tone or beeping sound which may be loud or soft. Whenever
you hear or think you hear one of these tones, raise your hand. Lower your hand when
you no longer hear the tone. Remember, raise your hand when you hear the tone and
lower your hand when you do not.”
Proper placement of the earphones on the ears is essential to achieving good test
results. Check the following before placing the earphones on the person to be tested.
a.
Eliminate any obstructions which will interfere with placement of the earphone
cushion on the ear (i.e. hair, earrings, eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.)
b.
Adjust the headband so the earphone cushions are centered over the ears and
the head. The earphone cushions will put firm pressure on both ears.
7.2.
Test Environment: Ambient Noise
Excessive sounds or noises in the chosen test environment can produce a masking
effect and therefore affect test results. The selected site should be away from
conversations, hallway traffic, outside auto traffic, and other noise producing
environments.
The lower test frequencies are most affected by these types of noise. In some instances
it may be necessary to treat the test site acoustically to achieve the necessary quietness
for testing purposes.
Commercially available sound rooms, which are designed to provide an acoustically
treated testing environment, are recommended where baseline or threshold audiometry
is required. These rooms are available in a variety of sizes and isolation capabilities.
Audiocup(TM) earphone enclosures fit over the DD-45 earphones and provide
supplementary attenuation to noise. These can be used instead of, or in addition to, a
sound room.
