Audiology Format Study Group Formed
Under sponsorship of ANSI S3.48 Subcommittee of Hearing Aid Standards
The purpose of the study group is to Standardize Terms and Formats of
audiometric data. The goal of the study group is to enable communication
between software modules that are used by audiologists and other
professionals in the field of hearing.
If the study group is successful in meeting its goal, software modules
that connect to measurement instruments to collect data, database modules
that are used to store data, and office management systems with their
databases will all be able to communicate "on the same wavelength,"
allowing professionals to collect, store, retrieve and statistically
examine data that has been collected. The goal is an open data
communication standard.
At present, the group is looking at terminology associated with
audiometric tests and hearing aid measurements (both real ear and
coupler). Other topics that will be added are impedance measurements,
otoacoustic emissions, evoked response, loudness scaling and a simple
patient profile. Other topics will be added as needed. If possible,
terminology will be drawn from ANSI and IEC/ISO standards that have been
developed to cover these fields. The interests of present NOAH users are
being considered and HIMSA is represented in the study group.
Meetings are ongoing, with the last taking place at the Etymotic Research
meeting facility near Chicago on June 21.
If you are interested in participating through correspondence or as an
active member, please contact me by email to gfrye at frye.com.
George J. Frye
Chair
