A survey of hearing test rooms

Octave-band and broad-band sound level measurements were made on 46 hearing test rooms in physicians' and audiologists' offices, hospitals, and audiology clinics. The data were evaluated against the ANSI 1977 ears open and ears covered standards for hearing test rooms. Five of the rooms met the ANSI 1977 ears open standard, and 18 met the ANSI 1977 ears covered standard. Neither dBA or dBC measurements nor difference between dBA and dBC values is a satisfactory way of specifying a room that meets a given standard. A double-wall hearing test room does not assure a test area that meets ANSI 1977 standard. Sound room ventilating fans seem to be a significant source of noise in many rooms.