hearTest™ Occupational Health audiometry similar to a single-wall soundproof booth

hearTest™ is a world-first smartphone audiometer with international CE and FDA certification, developed by the hearX Group, an ISO medical device certified company. A recent study by Prof De Wet Swanepoel, hearX Group founder, evaluated the sound attenuation of the latest hearTest™ update. The hearTest™ Occupational Health solution, using RadioEar insert earphones covered by 3M Peltor ear defender, was released at the end of 2019.

The study compared the new product to permissible sound levels for screening audiometry in occupational health and aimed to determine the average sound attenuation levels of the hearTest™ Occupational Health set up with the new insert earphones covered by 3M Peltor ear defender. Another objective of the study was to compare the attenuation and maximum permissible ambient noise levels (MPANL) of the hearTest™ Occupational Health solution to industry-standard audiometry headphones and a competitor occupational health audiometer.

Data collection took place in a double-walled IAC audiometric booth and adhered to ambient noise levels set out in ANSI/ASA S3.1-1991 (R2018) and SANS 10182:2006. A calibrated GSI-61 diagnostic Type 1 clinical audiometer was used to obtain air-conduction thresholds within a sound field for determining transducer attenuation in a group of 15 participants. The three test conditions included: 1) No transducer condition; 2) hearTest™ insert earphones and ear defender; and 3) Competitor audiometer with insert earphones and earcups.

No significant differences in attenuation across all frequencies were noted between the hearTest™ and competitor transducer setup. The hearTest™ Occupational Health solution attenuation surpassed requirements for ambient noise attenuation required for screening audiometry, (ISO/SANS 8253-1). The attenuation is so good that it is similar to a single-wall soundproof booth whilst exceeding typical mobile sound booths.

This study validates the hearTest™ Occupational Health solution for use outside a traditional sound booth setup for screening and monitoring audiometry.

Download our white paper study here:

Swanepoel, D. “Sound attenuation and permissible noise levels for hearTest™ occupational health audiometry”. White paper, hearX Group: July 2019.

For more information on hearTest™ Occupational Health please send us an email at info@hearxgroup.com or visit our website.