This study investigated the accuracy of pure-tone air conduction thresholds obtained by the Kuduwave audiometer in automated testing mode, with a controlled level of background noise (40 dBA), at a level that would typically be present in a closed, non-sound treated room.
Air conduction thresholds from individuals with normal hearing and those with hearing loss were collected and compared.
These thresholds were obtained in three test conditions. (1) GSI-61 clinical audiometer in a double-walled sound booth, (2) Kuduwave audiometer in a quiet environment (sound-treated booth), and (3) Kuduwave audiometer in a noisy (40 dBA) environment.
Findings from this study revealed that Kuduwave testing in automatic mode can accurately obtain pure-tone air conduction thresholds in a quiet sound booth as compared to thresholds obtained with a typical clinical audiometer in a sound booth.
Furthermore, this study indicates that the Kuduwave audiometer produced accurate thresholds in the presence of background noise (40 dBA). Ambient noise used in this study is similar to typical ambient noise found in a closed room without a sound booth. This study shows that the Kuduwave audiometer can be used outside of a sound booth.