Conditions for ambient noise measurements

ANSI S3.1 -1999   

Measurement instrumentation

Measurement of ambient noise levels 

During ambient noise measurements, the Audiologist should ensure that the test environment represents the worst possible conditions under which thresholds might be measured.  Do not alter the environment in any way to make it more favorable in terms of room noise, otherwise this would not give a good representation of a typical test situation.  In the testing environment, fans, lights and equipment need to be turned on because these factors contribute to the ambient noise level and when they are all turned on, would ideally represent the worst possible testing condition.   

Here is a check list of things that you might consider when trying to achieve the calibration environment:

1. The same number of people should be present both inside and outside the test room during calibration as there is during testing.
2. Air conditioning and ventilation equipment need to be turned on
3. Ambient noise measurements need to be taken at the time of day where most noise is present during testing.  This may be during busy traffic hours of the day if your clinic is in a metropolitan area for example. 
4. Noise measurements should be made during intermittent noises such as ringing telephones, footsteps, office equipment.  This is done to see if these noises interfere with threshold measurements.

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