Fit Testing with the audhere WAHTS HeadsetInvest in Your Hearing
OSHA, NIOSH, and the DOD emphasize the importance of fit testing as a best practice to protect an employee’s hearing. While OSHA doesn’t necessarily require fit testing for a hearing protection device, both the DOD and NIOSH consider it a gold standard.
In parallel, ANSI/ASA has recently issued a standard (ANSI S12.71-2018) that depicts exactly how manufacturers should validate their fit test system through specific laboratory-based procedures. These validation studies are geared to ensure that a fit test system is accurate and repeatable.
What is Fit Testing?
Fit testing is designed to be a quantitative technique to verify that a hearing protector device is working properly. It is used to measure the effectiveness of a headset or attenuating earplugs while also providing an individuals’ Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) by measuring the amount of noise reduction that a hearing protector provides. This measure identifies those at risk for hearing loss as a result of a poor fit of the earplug and can ultimately prevent future degradation in hearing.
There are two types of fit tests:
An individual listens to a stimuli and responds to the noise with or without earplugs. This type of fit test is very similar to a standard hearing test.
Physical sensors, e.g., microphones, are used to calculate the attenuation provided by the hearing protector. This technique provides a simple quantitative measure of how different the sound level is on the outside of the ear versus the inside of the ear.
The Best Fit Testing System Should Consider:
WAHTS: Specifications for Fit Testing
System Components
•Supports both automated hearing testing and fit testing
•Intuitive mobile app, tablet, and headset
•Highly-attenuating headset allows you to test in more environments
System Outputs
•PAR is computed with REAT-based method
•A report is available on a mobile app and can be downloaded by CSV, PDF
•The results can be uploaded to a third-party electronic health database
How is the WAHTS Fit Test Performed?
When conducted, the test can occur in a single-person setting or a group setting.
Group Testing
For a group test, the administrator performs an introduction and the initial training to the group, providing the individuals with the same steps to follow as a single-person test. The administrator remains close by to answer questions or follow up with those who may need assistance.
Performance Statement
