SPA Associates

Our Mission is to provide superior audiometer calibration services that are affordable and reliable.  Realizing that the end-user and benefiter of our service is the patient, we will maintain service integrity as though the patient is our own family. 

With this mission in mind, this page is dedicated to audiological tips, guidelines and other considerations.

Audiometer Daily Check List

Daily biological check                                               

The audiometer must be checked daily, prior to use.  A person with known hearing should have a daily hearing test that compares +/- 5 dB to their baseline /initial hearing test at all test frequencies.  In addition the following checks and considerations must be made. 

Intermitent tone or scratchy sound in earphones  When a steady tone is on, check plug connections and earphone cords by lightly twisting and moving the plug and cord.  If there is a scratchy sound, the plugs should be cleaned with alcohol and reinserted several times for a clean contact.  When the tone intermitents the cord may need replaced and the unit should be recalibrated.

Clean earphone cushions                                         Phone cushions are easily removeable and should be maintained to a safe and hygienic level.  Disposable covers are also an alternative to cleaning.

Earphones are specific to audiometer              Earphones may not be interchanged from one audiometer to another without recalibration.  Even though the tone works it is no longer calibrated.

Annual certified calibration                                     

All audiometers must be calibrated annually per manufacturer, Board of Health, State and OSHA regulations.

All or None    

The audiometer either is functioning flawlessly or it should not be used for hearing test.  Monitor functions, condition and controls for a reliable and valid test. 

Test environment

Silence is golden                                                  

Daily checks of the host test site are necessary for a reliable hearing test.  When a sound level meter is not available, a listening check is easily performed on a person with, known, good hearing.  Since hearing screenings should never be performed above 25dBHL, the test site must be quiet enough for a person with good hearing to respond to all test signals at your screening level.  The softer the better (20 dB), but if 25 dBHL can not be heard, the noise must be removed or you must find a new test location.  Many sounds are occansional or seasonal, e.g. phone rings or ventilation/heating fan.  If these interfere with daily test, consider a sound booth for patient isolation.