Operation Manual MA 1
8100216 Rev. 5
14
09/03/2023
5.3 Preparing for Testing
5.3.1 Preparing the Patient
The patient should sit with back to device and examiner so they do not see any
pressing of the buttons.
Prior to hearing threshold level measurements, the following instructions should be
given:
"You will now hear a variety of tones with various loudness levels, raise your
hand as soon as you hear the tone in either ear“.
5.3.2 Placement of Headphones
Figure 4
Eliminate any obstructions which will interfere with the
placement of the ear cushions on the ear (i.e. hair,
eyeglasses).
Ensure that the headphones (Figure 4) are positioned
correctly: red phone on the right ear, blue phone on the left
ear. Adjust the headband of the headphones so that the
earphones are positioned at the correct height (i.e. the
sound output grid exactly facing the ear canal).
5.3.3 Test Environment
Excessive sounds or noises in the chosen test environment can produce a masking effect
and therefore affect test results. The selected site should be away from conversations,
hallway traffic, outside auto traffic, and other noise producing environments.
5.4 Performing Tone Tests with MA 1 (Air Conduction Testing)
5.4.1 Screening
A hearing screening utilizes a
Pass
or
Refer
result and is used to determine if further
testing is required as a hearing problem may exist. Patients are typically screened at
a level of
20 dB HL
at
500 Hz
,
1000 Hz
,
2000 Hz
, and
4000Hz
in
each ear
. If a patient
hears all the tones in each ear, the result would be considered a
Pass
. Failure to hear
even one of the tones in either ear would result in a
Refer
.
NOTE
: This is an example of one screening protocol. Each state may have their own
screening protocol. Contact your state health department for guidelines in your area.
5.5 Conducting a Hearing Screening
5.5.1 Familiarize the patient with the test procedure
1. Press the black right/left button to turn on the MA 1.
2. Use this same button to select the right ear (red LED).
3. Press the up or down arrow keys to select 50 dB HL.
4. Press the 1000 Hz button 1-2 seconds to present the tone to the patient. The tone
will be presented as long as the corresponding frequency key is held down. (This
level is loud enough that a normal hearing patient should hear the tone clearly in a
quiet setting.)
5. The patient should raise their hand when the tone is played. Play the tone a second
time to make sure they understand the task. If not, re-instruct and try again. If no
response is obtained, change to the left ear to confirm unresponsiveness.
