Users Guide
37 Pages
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ES3 Pure Tone Audiometer User’s Guide Rev 1.11
Precautionary Notes: Earscan® 3 Audiometer 1. Use only the factory-supplied, UL approved, power adapter (wall cube) with the Earscan® 3. Use of any other power adapter will invalidate the warranty and may result in damage to the audiometer. 2. The Earscan® 3 is designed for use with alkaline 1.5 volt AA size batteries. If re-chargeable batteries are used, they must be of the alkaline type. Do not use nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable batteries. 3. When installing batteries in the Earscan® 3, you must observe the correct polarity. If one or more cells are installed with reversed polarity, the instrument will not operate in the battery-powered mode, and the audiometer may be damaged. 4. The Earscan® 3 is capable of producing signal levels greater than 100 dB SPL. Prolonged exposure to signals at these levels can result in temporary threshold shift or permanent hearing loss. When testing in manual mode at high HTL settings, limit signal duration to no more than 1 second. 5. If the Earscan® 3 has only external power available (low batteries or no batteries installed), be aware that unplugging the mini DIN connector will result in power loss and potential data loss. If it is necessary to disconnect the mini DIN in this case (e.g., to switch from USB cable to printer cable), it is advisable to turn the instrument off, make the cable change, then turn the instrument back on. 6. The Earscan® 3 does not implement handshaking protocol on the serial port. This means that the ES3 will not detect an unconnected serial port or a ‘printer not ready’ condition. 7. Data stored on Earscan® 3 SD flash memory cards should be backed up to a PC on a regular basis to avoid potential data loss.
®
Earscan is a registered trademark of Micro Audiometrics Corporation. ® ® E·A·R and E·A·RTONE are registered trademarks of Aearo Company. ® ® Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Information in this manual is believed to be accurate; however, Micro Audiometrics Corporation assumes no responsibility for its use. Content is subject to change without notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced without written permission. Copyright © 2004-2007 Micro Audiometrics Corporation. PN: 95.707.111
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Table of Contents Introduction ...6 Manual Conventions ... 6 Keypad ... 7 Menu Navigation... 7 Function Keys ... 8 Setup ...9 Cable Connections ... 9 Power Up... 9 Power Options ... 10 Beep Volumes ... 10 Talk Over ... 11 Time and Date ... 11 Manual Audiometry ...12 Manual Audiometry Key Functions ... 13 Testing Procedure ... 14 Manual Audiometry Options ... 14 Frequency Selection ... 14 Other Options... 15 Automatic Threshold Audiometry...16 Automatic Threshold Function Key ... 16 Test Procedure ... 17 Test Protocol ... 17 Automatic Threshold Test Error Conditions ... 18 Automatic Threshold Audiometry Options ... 18 Frequency Selection ... 18 Frequency Presentation Order ... 18 Other Options... 19 Subject Demographics ...20 Test Results...21 Displaying Results on the LCD ... 21 Display Results Key Functions... 22 Quantifying Hearing Loss ... 22 3
Data Storage ...22 Saving Tests ... 23 Loading Tests ... 23 Marking Baseline Test ... 24 Serial Communications ...24 Transmit Options ... 24 Baseline Comparisons...25 Screen and Clock Options...25 Screen Properties ... 25 Power-Up Logo ... 26 Real-Time Clock Settings ... 26 Lock Settings...27 Reset Settings ...27 Firmware Upgrade...27 Headset Management ...28 Calibration ...29 Technical Specifications ...30 Functional ‘Quick Checks’ ...31 Trouble Shooting Guide ...32 External Interface ...33 Connectors ... 33 Multi-purpose Connector ... 33 Headset Connector ... 34 DPU-414 Printer Switch Settings ... 34 Earscan 3 Information...35 Warranty...36 Contact Information ...37
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List of Tables TABLE 1. POWER SETTINGS ... 10 TABLE 2. MANUAL AUDIOMETRY KEY FUNCTIONS ... 13 TABLE 3. OTHER MANUAL AUDIOMETRY OPTIONS ... 15 TABLE 4. AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD AUDIOMETRY ERRORS ... 18 TABLE 5. BASIC AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD TEST OPTIONS ... 19 TABLE 6. ADVANCED AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD TEST OPTIONS ... 20 TABLE 7. SUBJECT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ... 20 TABLE 8. DISPLAY RESULTS KEY FUNCTIONS... 22 TABLE 9. SCALE OF HEARING LOSS... 22 TABLE 10. DATA TRANSMIT OPTIONS ... 24
List of Figures FIGURE 1. ES3 KEYPAD ... 7 FIGURE 2. MAPPING FUNCTION KEYS TO LCD TEXT... 8 FIGURE 3. MANUAL AUDIOMETRY DISPLAY ... 12 FIGURE 4. DISPLAY OF THRESHOLD ... 13 FIGURE 5. AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD DISPLAY ... 16 FIGURE 6. AUDIOMETRIC TEST RESULTS DISPLAY ... 21 FIGURE 7. INFORMATION DISPLAY ... 35
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INTRODUCTION The Earscan 3 model ES3 is a pure tone, full frequency, air conduction audiometers. It provides manual/automatic threshold test capability with talk over. The ES3 is optimized for use in hearing conservation programs. It can be PCcontrolled and optional provides data storage capability (via removable SD flash memory card), baseline comparisons and STS/PBI calculations. ES3 audiometers are user customizable, can be battery or AC powered, and offer flexibility in communications. One of the most powerful ES3 features is the ability to be updated or upgraded via a PC attached to the Internet. Using factory supplied software, firmware updates/upgrades can be downloaded from the Micro Audiometrics website and installed on the ES3. Micro Audiometrics will be periodically adding new features to the ES3 firmware, and these features can be downloaded from the Micro Audiometrics website or obtained from an authorized Micro Audiometrics distributor.
Manual Conventions The following conventions are used to indicate interactions with ES3: KEY Presses appear in { }; e.g. {▲} means press the ▲ key. Basic menu navigation is done using {▲} / {▼} and {◄} / {►}. Use the {Ο} key to present tones, select menu items, or select list items. It’s the navigation key in the center of the array:
▲ ◄ Ο ► ▼ Menu sequences appear as ⌐MENU1 ⌐MENU2 ⌐MENU3. The “⌐” symbol is used to indicate “scroll to Menu Item and press the Ο key, or press the number key corresponding to the Menu Item”.
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Keypad
ES3 audiometers have a blue keypad/overlay with 10 keys, labeled 1 through 0 (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. ES3 Keypad
1 0
l a b e l e d
k e y s
1
t h r o u g h
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Menu Navigation The ES3 menu system is designed for intuitive use. Navigating through menus is as simple as using the {▲}, {▼}, {►}, or {◄} keys to highlight a selection and then pressing {Ο} to make a selection. The {Menu} key is used to exit test mode and enter the menu system, and also to move from ‘lower’ to ‘higher’ menu screens. Pressing {Menu} while in manual audiometry mode enters the ‘top level’ of the menu system, and if the user has navigated ‘down’ into the menu structure, each {Menu} press will return to the next ‘higher’ menu level until the ‘top level’ menu is reached. Menu sequences are shown assuming that the user begins at the ‘top level’ menu. Note: The ‘top level’ menu can always be reached by repeatedly pressing {Menu}.
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Function Keys At times, ‘actions’ or ‘toggles’ will be displayed on the bottom line of the LCD. The keys just below the display are then used as ‘function’ keys to perform an action (A), or to toggle between two possible parameter values (a/b). Figure 2 illustrates how keys are mapped to actions or toggles shown on the LCD.
Figure 2. Mapping Function Keys to LCD Text U p p e r s c r e e n a r e a d i s p l a y s t e x t .
L a s t l i n e m a y d i s p l a y t e x t O R f u n c t i o n k e y a s s i g n m e n t ; e . g . ,
A u t o
L / R
S e n d
C l r
T a l k
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
In this illustrative example, there are four ‘Actions’ (Auto, Send, Clr, and Talk) assigned to ‘Function’ keys 1, 3, 4, and 5. Press {1} to perform action Auto, {3} to perform the action Send, {4} to perform action Clr, and {5} to perform action Talk. The ‘L/R’ shown above {2} indicates an L/R toggle with ‘R’ currently selected. Pressing {2} will toggle between the two possible states, and the state selected will be highlighted (e.g., R).
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SETUP Cable Connections ES3 audiometers can be powered by 4 AA Alkaline batteries (battery compartment is accessible from the back of the instrument). Optionally, power from an AC adapter or USB bus power can be supplied via the 6-pin multi-purpose “mini DIN” connector on the top of the instrument. The AC adapter may be plugged directly into the ES3 mini DIN socket if serial communication is not required, or it may be plugged into the power adapter receptacle at the end of a printer cable or optional computer interface cable (RS-232). The headset and response button cable assembly plugs into the 15-pin connector on the top of the instrument. Booth wall and headphone adapter cables are provided for installations that require patching through a booth. The booth adapter cable replaces the ES3 headphone/response button cable and terminates in three ¼” phone plugs compatible with standard booth patch panels. The headphone adapter cable provides ¼” mono phone plugs for TDH-39 headphones.
Power Up Press the {On} key, and the ES3 logo will scroll onto the screen unless scrolling has been disabled (see Power Up Logo), or the instrument was last powered down due to an inactivity time-out. When power-up initialization is completed, enter {1} to begin a new test or enter {2} to continue a previous test automatically saved by the ES3 at its last power down. If you choose to begin a new test, the ES3 will prompt you to enter the Patient ID and an Operator ID. If the Test Analysis option is installed, it will also check to see if baseline data is available. If baseline data is found, you will be given the option to load the data. You will then be prompted to enter patient’s gender, age, number of hours since last noise exposure, and an Operator ID. The manual audiometry screen will then be displayed and the instrument is ready to begin testing.
Note: When the ES3 powers down due to an inactivity timeout or in response to ⌐TURN OFF, current test data is automatically saved to non-volatile memory. This prevents loss of data in case a test is interrupted. When the ES3S is powered back on, pending test data will be restored and the test can be continued, if desired, or a new test can be started.
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Power Options Inactivity timeouts automatically turn off the LCD backlight and power after selectable periods of inactivity to conserve energy and extend battery life (see Table 1; ( ) indicates default setting). Note: The backlight requires considerable battery power. Setting the backlight power-down interval longer than necessary will decrease battery life when the ES3 is battery powered (see Screen Properties).
Table 1. Power Settings AC Backlight ⌐SETUP ⌐POWER ⌐A/C ⌐BACKLIGHT
AC Power Down ⌐SETUP ⌐POWER ⌐A/C ⌐POWER DOWN
Battery Backlight ⌐SETUP ⌐POWER ⌐BATTERY ⌐BACKLIGHT Battery Power Down ⌐SETUP ⌐POWER ⌐BATTERY ⌐POWER DOWN
(Never) 30 seconds 1 minute 2 minutes 5 minutes Never 1 minute 5 minutes (15 minutes) 30 minutes 1 hour 5 seconds 10 seconds (20 seconds) 30 seconds 1 minute 15 seconds 30 seconds (1 minute) 2 minutes 5 minutes
Beep Volumes Key presses are silent when in test mode, but produce audible ‘beeps’ when in the menu system. The beep volume can be set via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐BEEP VOLUMES ⌐KEY VOLUME {Low/Medium/High}. The ES3 also produces an alert sound when certain errors occur and to indicate the completion of an automatic test. The volume of the alert can be set via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐BEEP VOLUMES ⌐ALERT VOLUME {Low/Medium/High}.
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Talk Over Talk over mode may be entered by pressing {5} while in audiometric testing mode. There is no specific microphone ‘opening’; sound arrives at the microphone through various openings in the cabinet (e.g., the slot in the side). Talk over volume may be adjusted with the {▲}, {▼}, {►}, or {◄} keys. It is recommended that a normal speaking voice be used at a distance of 1 to 2 feet, and volume adjustment used to compensate for hearing status of the listener. Press {1}, {Menu}, or {Ο} to exit talk over.
Time and Date The ES3 has a battery-backed up real time clock to maintain time and date. The clock is set at the factory prior to shipment. See section Real-Time Clock Settings for details on how to check or set the time and date. The backup battery is a lithium rechargeable type and will be recharged whenever ES3 power is on. Note: If the ES3 is not powered up for many months, the battery may become discharged. In this case, the time and date will need to be reset and the instrument should be left powered up for some time to recharge the clock battery. Normal instrument usage is sufficient to keep the battery fully charged.
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MANUAL AUDIOMETRY To insure that pending data is cleared, always begin a new test via the main menu sequence ⌐NEW TEST to clear pending test data. When the ES3 enters manual audiometry mode, the screen format shown in Figure 3 will be displayed (assumes factory defaults for starting frequency and level).
Figure 3. Manual Audiometry Display F r e q u e n c y L e v e l E a r
1 0 0 0 2 0 R i g h t
H z d B
U n t e s t e d
A u t o
L / R
S e n d
C l r
T a l k
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Once a threshold has been obtained, the display will change to show the threshold value (the ‘m’ indicates threshold was obtained via manual testing; see Figure 4).
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Figure 4. Display of Threshold F r e q u e n c y L e v e l E a r
1 0 0 0 2 0 m R i g h t
H z d B
A u t o
L / R
S e n d
C l r
T a l k
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
The threshold may be cleared (Clr) by pressing key {4} (e.g., to retest a threshold). Only the currently-displayed threshold will be cleared. The test ear, signal mode, starting frequency and starting level are all user selectable, so these values may differ from the ones shown. The example shown indicates that threshold of 20 dB has been obtained for the right ear at 1000 Hz.
Manual Audiometry Key Functions Table 2 lists the functions of ES3 keys that are active in the manual audiometry mode. The last column indicates the action of the function keys.
Table 2. Manual Audiometry Key Functions {◄}/{►}
Select next lower/higher enabled frequency (Hz)
{▲}/{▼}
Increase/decrease level by current step size (dB)
{1}
Auto
Exit manual test mode and enter automatic test mode
L/R
Toggle between Left and Right ear, or among Left, Right and Binaural if binaural testing is enabled
{3}
Send
Send the test data to computer or printer
{4}
Clr
Clear the current threshold
{5}
Talk
Exit test mode and enters talk over mode
{2}
{Menu}
Exits manual test mode and enters the menu system 13
Testing Procedure 1) Instruct the patient to raise his/her hand or press the patient response button (if available) whenever a tone is heard. 2) Position the headphones over the patient’s ears (Red over Right ear, Blue over Left ear). 3) Press {2} if necessary to toggle to the desired test ear. 4) Select the test frequency using the {◄} / {►} keys. 5) Use the {▲} / {▼} keys to adjust the hearing level and the {Ο} key to present the stimulus to the selected ear. When testing with Continuous signals, stimulus duration should be about 1 second; the minimum duration allowed is 200 ms. 6) Continue using the {▲} / {▼} and {Ο} to present stimuli consistent with the test paradigm being used (typically Hughson-Westlake) until threshold is determined. 7) Use the {◄} / {►} keys to select the next frequency to test. 8) Repeat steps 4 through 7 until threshold has been determined for each frequency for the selected ear. 9) Change the test Ear by pressing {2}. 10) Repeat steps 4 through 8 until threshold has been determined for each frequency for the second ear.
Manual Audiometry Options Frequency Selection Note that the set of test frequencies selected for manual audiometry will also be used during automatic threshold testing. By default the frequency set includes 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz, plus the 1k/Validity check. The 1k/Validity check is mainly used during an automatic threshold exam, but can also be tested during a manual exam if desired. The frequency set to be used for manual or automatic threshold testing may be viewed or modified via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐AUDIOMETRY SETUP ⌐FREQUENCIES. The display will show the list of available test frequencies and there will be a check mark (√) next to the ones currently selected for testing. Use the {►}, {▲}, {▼} and {◄} keys to move the highlight to a frequency to select or deselect for testing, and press {Ο} to toggle between ‘selected’ and ‘deselected’. Repeat this process as necessary to select or deselect other frequencies. Once selections are completed, press {Menu} to exit frequency selection mode and return to the menu system.
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Other Options Additional manual audiometry options listed in Table 3 may be accessed via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐AUDIOMETRY SETUP ⌐MANUAL AUDIOMETRY. To change an option, highlight the option to modify using the {►}, {▲}, {▼} and {◄} keys, and press {Ο}. Use the {►}, {▲}, {▼} and {◄} keys to select the desired setting for the option, and press {Ο}.
Table 3. Other Manual Audiometry Options Ear Starting Level
Ear to be tested first. Initial level when new test is started
Left, (Right) 10, 15, (20), 25, 30, 35, 40
Starting Frequency
Initial frequency when entering manual test mode
Tone Mode Increment Amount Decrement Amount Binaural Stimulus
Stimulus mode
125, 250, 500, (1000), 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000, 1k/V (Pulsed), Continuous
Increment step size
(5), 10, 20
Decrement step size
5, (10), 20
Enable presentation to both ears simultaneously
(No), Yes
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AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD AUDIOMETRY To insure that pending data is cleared, always begin a new test via the main menu sequence ⌐NEW TEST to clear pending test data. The automatic threshold test option performs a modified Hughson-Westlake test. Figure 5 shows the display format used for Automatic Threshold tests. This example indicates that a threshold of 25 dB was registered in automatic test mode (indicated by “a”) for 3000 Hz at the left ear.
Figure 5. Automatic Threshold Display F r e q u e n c y L e v e l E a r
3 0 0 0 2 5 a L e f t
H z d B
M a n 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
Automatic Threshold Function Key Pressing {1} (Man) during an automatic threshold exam will stop the test and return the ES3 to the manual audiometry mode. Note that exiting the test does not clear test data. The test may be re-entered and continued from the point at which it was interrupted.
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Test Procedure 1) Instruct the patient to press the response button whenever a tone is heard. 2) Position the headphones over the patient’s ears. 3) From the manual audiometry screen, press key {1} to begin the automatic threshold exam.
Test Protocol 1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
The automatic test begins at the level and frequency indicated in the automatic threshold audiometry settings. If the Faster Method setting is selected: The stimulus increment size is set to the Gross Increment size in the automatic threshold audiometry settings. The increment size remains at this setting until the first response by the patient to a stimulus. After the first response, the increment step size is set to the Increment Amount in the automatic threshold settings. The stimulus decrement size is set to the Gross Decrement size in the automatic threshold audiometry settings. The decrement size will remain at this setting until the first negative response by the patient to a stimulus. After the first negative response, the decrement size is set to the Decrement Amount in the automatic threshold settings. If the Faster Method setting is not selected: The stimulus increment size is set to the Increment Amount and the decrement size is set to the Decrement Amount in the automatic threshold settings. After each stimulus presentation, ES3 will either decrease the intensity level by the decrement size if the patient responded or increment the intensity level by the increment size if the patient did not respond. The number of consecutive ascending positive responses at a given level is selectable in the automatic threshold audiometry settings. An ascending positive response is a positive response to a stimulus presentation that immediately follows a negative response to the previous stimulus presentation. If the stimulus is presented at the maximum level for a given frequency and a negative response is received by the ES3, the threshold for the frequency is set to a No Response (NR) and the test continues with the next frequency selected for testing. Testing for the next frequency in the test sequence will automatically start at an intensity level 10 dB HTL greater than the threshold for the previous frequency. However, the test level will not exceed the maximum starting level contained in the Level Override setting in the automatic threshold audiometry settings. Additionally, if both the test storage and baseline comparison upgrades are installed, the Use Baseline setting specifies that testing will begin at the threshold for the baseline test if one exists and is loaded. 17
6)
After testing at all the selected frequencies for the ear, the ES3 will examine the other ear to see if testing has been completed for each frequency. If the opposite ear has not been tested, ES3 will select the opposite ear, and begin testing in the manner described beginning with step 1. If both ears have been tested, the test is complete and ES3 will return to the manual audiometry mode.
Automatic Threshold Test Error Conditions If an error is encountered during an automatic threshold test, the ES3 will stop the test and indicate the error condition. The operator may re-instruct the patient via talk over mode and resume testing, or return to manual audiometry mode. Table 4 lists the error conditions that the ES3 detects.
Table 4. Automatic Threshold Audiometry Errors Button Held False Response Inconsistent Results Validity Error
Patient is holding down response button. Patient pressed response button outside the valid response “window” or when no tone was presented. A valid threshold was not obtained. Testing stopped at the point where the error occurred. The 1k and 1k/V thresholds differ by more than 5 dB.
Automatic Threshold Audiometry Options Frequency Selection Frequencies used during automatic threshold testing are the same as those for a manual test (see Selecting Frequencies). Frequency Presentation Order Frequency presentation order may be changed via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐AUDIOMETRY SETUP ⌐AUTO THRESHOLD ⌐FREQUENCY ORDER. The default sequence is 1k/V, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz. Only those frequencies selected for testing will be used. To change presentation order, move the highlight with the {◄} / {►} or {▲} / {▼} keys and press {Ο} to select a frequency. Move it to any position in the list using the {◄} / {►} or {▲} / {▼} keys, and press the {Ο} key to place it at that position. When all frequencies are in the desired presentation order, press {Menu} to exit.
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Other Options Basic automatic threshold test options (see Table 5) are selectable via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐AUDIOMETRY SETUP ⌐AUTO THRESHOLD.
Table 5. Basic Automatic Threshold Test Options Starting ear for automatic threshold exam
Left, (Right), Better Ear
Frequency Order
Frequency presentation order
1k/V, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000,
Starting Level
Starting level for automatic threshold test
10, 15, 20, 25, (30), 35, 40
Level increment size
(5), 10, 20, 30
Level decrement size
5, (10), 20, 30
Ear
Increment Amount Decrement Amount Gross Increment Gross Decrement
Increment step size to use until positive response has been registered Decrement step size to use until negative response has been registered
5, 10, (20), 30 5, 10, (20), 30
Advanced automatic threshold test options (see Table 6) are selectable via the menu sequence ⌐SETUP ⌐AUDIOMETRY SETUP ⌐AUTO THRESHOLD ⌐MISCELLANEOUS.
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Table 6. Advanced Automatic Threshold Test Options Level Override Faster Method Stop On Inc. Max Presentations Use Baseline (requires test storage & baseline upgrades) 1k/V Test Both Ears Max False Responses Ascending Responses Req
Maximum starting level when changing frequency during automatic threshold exam. Should gross increments and decrements be used? Should test be stopped if a reliable threshold cannot be determined? Maximum stimuli allowed per frequency before reporting ‘inconsistent’ error. Should baseline thresholds be used to determine initial test level? Should 1k/Validity be tested for both ears? Maximum ‘false responses’ allowed before reporting an error. Number of consecutive ascending responses required to determine threshold.
40, 45, 50, 55, 60, (65), 70 No, (Yes) No, (Yes) 15, (20), 25, 30, 35, 40 No, (Yes) No, (Yes) 1, 2, 3, 4, (5), 10 1, (2), 3, 4, 5
SUBJECT DEMOGRAPHICS Subject demographic information can be stored along with threshold information on the ES3 with the Test Storage upgrade. Demographic information can be entered at any time via the menu sequence ⌐DEMOGRAPHIC INFO, and automatic prompts for demographic information will appear when starting a new test. Table 7 lists the demographic information that is stored. Numeric demographic information is entered via the number keys. Gender is entered using the scroll keys.
Table 7. Subject Demographic Information Patient ID Age Gender Last Noise Exposure Operator ID
Up to 21 digits 1 to 99 Male or Female Hours since significant noise exposure: 1 to 99 Up to 21 digits 20