Second Generation USAFSAM (United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine) Microprocessor Audiometer

摘要

Pure-tone air conduction thresholds obtained with the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine second generation microprocessor audiometer (MPA) were compared to those obtained using conventional manual audiometric technique. The MPA results are considered a suitable substitute for manual testing even though small significant differences did appear. The MPA was able to accept preliminary information including reference hearing levels from a keyboard or magnetic strip card, to calculate threshold shift and its significance, print a hard copy of results, store results on a magnetic strip card, and store results on magnetic tape in a cassette for transmittal to a central registry. Several troublesome malfunctions occurred that seemed to be inherent in fabricating dedicated hardware. Conclusions are that MPA audiometry could be of great value in a hearing conservation program, but it now appears that using off-the-shelf hardware would be a better approach than manufacturing dedicated equipment.