Hearing protection device (HPD) fit testing is considered “best practice” for hearing loss prevention programs. While DoD regulations recommend fit testing for Service Members (SMs) who experience a threshold shift, current field attenuation estimation systems (FAES) are not readily accessible to many hearing conservation personnel, in part due to issues with portability, cost and scalability. In this study, we compare the efficacy of several novel fit-testing paradigms against an objective field-microphone in real ear (F-MIRE) system. The paradigms include a real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) protocol using a compact headphone-based boothless audiometer, a broadband “HPD Check” screener using a headphone-based boothless audiometer, and a loudness balancing (LB) protocol using low-cost headphones. All three paradigms operate via a commercial android tablet. The low-cost tablet-based protocol in particular might make it feasible to conduct fit testing on all SMs, and not just those who experience significant hearing changes or who are being fitted with hearing protection for the first time. The enhanced portability of the FAES described here would also offer advantages outside of the clinic to ensure proper HPD fit prior to noise-hazardous weapons system exposures in the military training environment.
- Journal:
- The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
- Date:
- December 3, 2020
- Authors:
- Kulinski, D., Makashay, M. J., Dirks, C., Sheffield, B., & Brungart, D. S.