PC-based tele-audiometry

Telemed J E Health. 2007 Oct;13(5):501-8. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2007.0085.

Abstract

A personal computer (PC)-based audiometer was developed for interactive remote audiometry. This paper describes a tele-audiometric system and evaluates the performance of the device when compared with conventional face-to-face audiometry. The tele-audiometric system is fully PC-based. A sound card featuring a high-quality digital-to-analog converter is used as a pure-tone generator. The audiometric programs were developed based on Microsoft Windows in order to maximize usability. Audiologists and their subjects can use the tele-audiometry system as one would utilize any PC application. A calibration procedure has been applied for the standardization of sound levels in the remote system. The performance of this system was evaluated by comparing PC-based audiometry with the conventional clinical audiometry system for 37 subjects. Also, performance of the PC-based system was evaluated during use at a remote site. The PC-based audiometry system estimated the audiometric threshold with an error of less than 2.3 dBSPL. Only 10.7% of the results exhibited an error greater than 5 dBSPL during use at a remote site. The PC-based tele-audiomerty showed acceptable results for use at a remote site. This PC-based system can be used effectively and easily in many locations that have Internet access but no local audiologists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Audiology / instrumentation
  • Audiometry / instrumentation*
  • Calibration
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Korea
  • Microcomputers*
  • Software
  • Telemedicine / methods*