Variability in the Realization of the Audiometric Zero
D. W. Robinson · The Annals of Occupational Hygiene · 1960
Current methods of calibrating pure-tone audiometers are based on transferring values of the hearing threshold to practical instruments by way of conventional systems of standardization. Errors incurred at the various stages, both instrumental and subjective, are examined and are given numerical significance on the basis of experimental results. A comparison of different methods of subjective calibration is described. Inherent limitations of accuracy in the measurement of hearing due to the system in use are considered. The results may assist in resolving outstanding discrepancies between different laboratories in regard to the absolute threshold of hearing, by indicating the relative magnitudes of the errors due to various causes.