Abstract
This 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, present significant cost, logistical, and functional limitations. Furthermore, recent problematic interpretations within standards, such as Note 1 in SANS 10083:2023 1, introduce scientifically questionable and impractical barriers to effective audiometry. The proposed Psychoacoustic Check utilizes the audiometric results of the first two suitable individuals tested on a given day who achieve stringent, predefined hearing thresholds (critically ≤0 dBHL at 2000-4000 Hz, and ≤15 dBHL at 500, 1000, 6000, and 8000 Hz). Their qualifying audiograms serve as direct, functional evidence of room suitability. This method offers a more trusted, cost-effective, and convenient alternative, aligning with established biological calibration principles and international standards (e.g., ISO 8253-1), and is particularly advantageous for modern mobile audiometric technologies like the GeoAxon Kuduwave. This paper details the methodology, critiques existing challenges, and provides recommendations for its implementation, aiming to elevate the standard of hearing conservation programmes in South Africa.
Read the white paper
.
Listen to the podcast
.
The Psychoacoustic Check
The Preferred Method for Audiometric Room Certification in South Africa
The Old Way is Broken. It’s Time for a Change.
For years, occupational health professionals have relied on costly, inconvenient physical sound measurements (SANS 10182) for room certification. This method is not only a financial drain but is often impractical, especially for mobile units, and fails to reflect real-world testing conditions.
Significant Financial Burden
R3,000-R5,000
Typical cost for a single SANS 10182 external certification, a recurring annual expense that drains resources from critical health initiatives.
Logistical Nightmare
Weeks of Delay
Scheduling external specialists and accommodating operational downtime creates significant delays, hindering responsive and flexible service delivery.
A New Hurdle: The Flawed SANS 10083 Note 1
To make matters worse, confusing clauses like Note 1 in SANS 10083:2023 introduce scientifically questionable and impractical requirements for field-measuring headset attenuation, creating unnecessary roadblocks for even the most advanced and validated audiometric equipment.
The Solution: A Smarter, Simpler, Superior Method
The enhanced Psychoacoustic Check provides direct, functional proof of a room’s quietness. It uses the most sensitive sound detector available—the human ear—to deliver a result that is more trusted, cost-effective, and convenient.
The Simple 3-Step Process
1
Test Routine Patients
Conduct standard audiometry on your patients as part of your daily workflow. No need to source special test subjects.
→
2
Identify Qualifying Results
Identify the first two patients whose audiograms meet the strict certification criteria, including $le0$ dBHL at 2-4 kHz.
→
✓
Certify Your Room
Their qualifying audiograms are your proof. Attach them to a simple form, sign it, and your room is certified. It’s that easy.
A Clear Winner: Head-to-Head Comparison
When compared directly, the advantages of the Psychoacoustic Check over traditional physical certification are undeniable across every key metric.
Cost Effectiveness
The Psychoacoustic Check eliminates external fees, utilizing existing resources for massive savings.
Convenience & Flexibility
On-demand, internal certification provides unparalleled convenience, especially for mobile units.
Methodology: What is Actually Being Assessed?
The Psychoacoustic Check verifies the entire system’s real-world performance, not just abstract ambient noise levels.
The Certification Gold Standard
The power of the check lies in its stringent, clinically relevant hearing thresholds. Achieving these levels provides incontrovertible proof that a room is quiet enough for the most sensitive aspects of occupational audiometry.
Required Hearing Thresholds for Certification
For a room to pass the Psychoacoustic Check, two individuals must achieve the following thresholds or better in both ears. The $le0$ dBHL requirement at 2-4 kHz is critical for accurately detecting NIHL and Standard Threshold Shifts (STS).
Your Self-Certification Workflow
Implement a robust, defensible, and simple self-certification process with clear documentation. This creates a powerful evidentiary trail for compliance and quality assurance.
- 1
Prerequisites Check
Before you begin
Ensure your audiometer holds a valid SANS 10154-1 electro-acoustic calibration certificate and has passed its daily biological/listening check. This is a non-negotiable foundation.
- 2
Identify & Verify
During routine testing
As you test your daily patients, identify the first two whose audiograms are reliable and meet all seven frequency threshold criteria. Their results are the key.
- ✓
Document & Certify
Final Step
Attach the two complete, qualifying patient audiograms to a simple “Psychoacoustic Room Certification Form.” The competent person signs and dates the form. This is your official, internally generated certificate.
The Future of Compliance is Here.
The enhanced Psychoacoustic Check is more than an alternative; it is a revolution. It empowers occupational health professionals with a method that is practical, reliable, and massively cost-effective. It ensures higher quality data, enhances compliance, and ultimately provides better protection for the hearing health of the workforce.
Embrace the Savings
95%+
Estimated cost reduction by switching from external physical certification to internal, on-demand psychoacoustic checks.
It’s time for the South African occupational health community to lead the change and adopt this smarter standard.