Self-recording audiometry in industry.

Pelmear, P. L. and Hughes, Brenda J. (1974). British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 31, 304-309. Self-recording audiometry in industry. A study of initial and repeat audiograms of 118 drop forge employees using fixed frequency self-recording audiometry showed that the mean of the differences at the test frequencies 0 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz ranges from 0 47 dB to + 0-61 dB. The largest standard deviation was 6 dB at 6 kHz and the lowest 3 dB at 2 kHz. The results also confirmed that temporary threshold shift effects may be minimized if audiograms are obtained at the beginning of a shift or within two hours provided the subject is protected with ear muff defenders up to the time of the test. The practical advantages to industry of using self-recording audiometry for audiometric screening and the reliability of single audiograms for threshold determination are discussed.