Using a boothless audiometer to estimate personal attenuation rating in a military hearing conservation clinic

Hearing protection device (HPD) fit-testing is considered "best practice" for hearing conservation programs in the military. Yet many hearing conservation personnel do not have access to dedicated fit-test equipment. In this study, estimates of personal attenuation rating (PAR) obtained with a boothless audiometer are compared to those obtained with a field-microphone in a real ear (F-MIRE) system. Results suggest that boothless audiometers can be used to make accurate PAR estimates. The ability to perform HPD fit-testing with multipurpose boothless audiometers has the potential to greatly expand the accessibility of earplug verification and ultimately to improve the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs.