Calibration of an audiometer is mandatory for an occupational health audiologist to guarantee accurate and dependable hearing test results. Without proper calibration, hearing tests may lead to wrong diagnoses, wrong treatment, or non-compliance with national legislation.
Accurate calibration processes assist preserve the integrity of hearing tests in clinical, industrial, or research settings. Furthermore, calibration is necessary for precise auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements in advanced testing.The necessity of audiometer calibration, the many calibration techniques, and the advantages of maintaining your equipment's appropriate calibration will all be covered in this article.
What is The Calibration Of The Audiometer?
The process of changing and verifying the operational performance of the audiometer so that it meets defined requirements. Audiometers are devices that assess an individual's hearing ability using pure tones of various frequencies and intensities.
To have an accurate calibration, reference standards and specialized equipment that produce sound in a special way should be used. Organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set standards for calibration methods.
Why is The Calibration Of The Audiometer Important?
1. Guarantees Precise Hearing Evaluations
Accurate tones at the right frequencies and intensities must be produced using audiometers. A patient's diagnosis and course of treatment may be impacted by erroneous hearing test results caused by an out-of-calibration device.
2. Complies with Regulations
To guarantee that hearing tests are accurate, a number of health and safety requirements call for routine calibration.
3. Preserves Equipment Durability
Frequent calibration testing aids in the early detection of small performance faults. Proactive maintenance can lower the need for expensive repairs or replacements while extending the life of audiometric equipment.
4. Guarantees Uniformity Throughout Testing Sites
Calibration audiometric processes guarantee that all audiometers deliver consistent results across locations, minimizing variations in hearing examinations for clinics, hospitals, and occupational health centers with many testing sites.
Types of Calibration
1. Calibration of Acoustics
The audiometer's ability to generate the appropriate sound pressure levels at particular frequencies is confirmed via acoustic calibration.
2. Calibration by Biology
Using this technique, an individual with normal hearing is used to verify that the audiometer consistently produces sound.
3. Comprehensive Adjustment
Every year or every two years, a full-scale calibration is carried out in accordance with ANSI and ISO standards.
4. Calibration of ABR
Calibration is essential for clinics and research institutions conducting auditory testing.
How Often Should You Calibrate Your Audiometer?
On average, calibrations should be scheduled for a year apart to get proper audiometry evaluation. The suggested calibration timetable consists of:
Choosing a Reliable Calibration Service
Several considerations are involved when choosing the business responsible for calibration services:
Conclusion
Accurate hearing evaluations, legal compliance, and equipment longevity all depend on proper calibration. If someone is a manager of a research institution, an occupational health program, or a hearing clinic, such adherence is the first arrow on the bow for ensuring unity of purpose in data generation and superior patient care.
It is an important part of ensuring auditory brainstem response testing's accuracy in specialized tests like ABR. You may be sure that your audiometric equipment satisfies industry requirements and produces accurate, trustworthy evaluations by collaborating with Deshler Diagnostics, a competent calibration provider.