Abstract The global need for increased hearing health care currently far exceeds the capacity for delivering these services, especially in developing countries where the ratio of audiologists to the population is often less than one per every million. The imbalance is further compounded by the… Read More »Remote Telehealth Hearing Assessment in a Rural Community – A Validation Study
Abstract Objectives: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the validity (test–retest reliability and accuracy) of automated threshold audiometry compared with the gold standard of manual threshold audiometry was conducted. Design: A systematic literature review was completed in peer-reviewed databases on automated compared with manual… Read More »Validity of Automated Threshold Audiometry – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Part 1 When conducting hearing tests in a multitude of environments, e.g. factories and mines, it can, at times, be very challenging to confi rm that the room or booth where the hearing tests will be conducted, is a quiet enough environment, according to SABS requirements.… Read More »Mobile Hearing Testing – The Challenge to Stay SABS Compliant (3 Part Series)
AbstractThis white paper aims to establish the GeoAxon Kuduwave (Prime, Pro, and Pro TMP models) as a Type 1 Clinical Audiometer, compliant with stringent international standards including IEC 60645-1 for pure-tone audiometry and IEC 60645-5 for immittance audiometry (Pro TMP model). It details the Kuduwave’s… Read More »The GeoAxon Kuduwave – A Validated Type 1 Clinical Audiometer for Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment
AbstractThis white paper advocates for the adoption of an Psychoacoustic Check as the preferred, scientifically robust, and practical method for verifying audiometric room quietness in South African occupational health settings. Traditional physical sound level measurements (e.g., SANS 10182) for room certification, particularly for mobile units,… Read More »The Psychoacoustic Check: A Preferred Method for Audiometric Room Quietness Certification in South African Occupational Health
Abstract This white paper critiques Note 1 of Section 15.1.2.3 in the South African National Standard SANS 10083:2023, a standard for occupational noise and hearing conservation. This recently added note implies that if the sound-blocking capability (attenuation) of an audiometric device cannot be easily… Read More »A Scientific Critique of SANS 10083:2023 Section 15.1.2.3 Note 1: Rectifying an Impediment to Advanced Hearing Conservation Practices
Abstract This white paper investigates the sound attenuation performance of typical single-walled, small audiometric test booths and an emerging boothless audiometry system (Kuduwave), specifically focusing on the 125-8000 Hz frequency range critical for comprehensive occupational hearing screening. Accurate hearing assessment in workplace environments is… Read More »Sound Attenuation in Audiometric Testing: A Review of Single-Walled Booths and Boothless Technologies for Occupational Hearing Screening
Abstract The accuracy of audiometric testing is fundamentally reliant on controlling ambient noise to prevent the masking of test stimuli. Various audiometric transducers, including supra-aural, circumaural, and insert earphones, as well as integrated headset systems, offer differing levels of passive sound attenuation. This white paper… Read More »A Comparative Analysis of Attenuation and Maximum Permissible Ambient Noise Levels for Audiometric Headsets
Abstract: This white paper investigates the determination of OSHA-compliant Maximum Permissible Ambient Noise Levels (MPANLs) for the Kuduwave audiometer when used with foam eartips. It reviews OSHA’s baseline MPANLs (29 CFR 1910.95 Appendix D, Table D-1) and the more current ANSI S3.1-1999 (R2018) standard,… Read More »Determining OSHA-Compliant Maximum Permissible Ambient Noise Levels (MPANLs) for the Kuduwave Audiometer (Utilizing Foam Eartips)
Abstract Background: Ambient noise presents a persistent challenge to the accuracy of audiometric evaluations, particularly in settings outside traditional sound-attenuating booths. The Kuduwave audiometer is engineered to address this challenge through a sophisticated real-time ambient noise monitoring system. Objective: This white paper elucidates the interpretation… Read More »Advancing Audiometric Precision: Mastering Kuduwave’s SPHLin-ear with Standardised MPANL Correction Factors