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R A Smiarowski

Publications and source records attributed to R A Smiarowski.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Earphone sound pressure output as measured in a standard coupler: effects of microphone protection grid and coupler adapter ring.

The present investigation compared grid and adapter-ring sound pressure levels using two microphones (B&K, models 4132 and 4144) and three earphones (Telephonics, TDH-39P, TDH-49P, and TDH-50). Results revealed greater sound pressure levels with the adapter-ring than with the grid. Mean differences of less than 0.30 dB (SDs approximately 0.1 dB) between adapter-ring and grid conditions were observed below 6000 Hz for the TDH-39P and TDH-49P earphones. Grid/adapter-ring differences for all earphones usually were less than 0.5 dB for frequencies less than or equal to 4000 Hz, and the largest mean difference (2.1 dB) was observed at 6000 Hz. Although these differences between grid and adapter-ring conditions are not clinically significant, several uncontrolled variables can combine to yield cumulative differences that are significant. Investigators should specify whether their instruments were calibrated with the protection grid or the adapter-ring on the microphone.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1981

Bone-conducted speech: intelligibility functions and threshold force levels for spondees.

Threshold force values for spondees were obtained for thirty-six subjects with normal hearing using the Radioear B-70-AA and B-71 bone vibrators, which were coupled to the head with a Radioear P-3333 headband. Measurements were made on a Bruel & Kjaer model 4930 artificial mastoid. In addition to the 1000 Hz calibration tone preceding the spondees, speech noise and white noise were dubbed on the tape at the same level as the tone. Since the results indicated similar threshold force levels for both vibrators, the data from the B-70-AA and B-71 were pooled. These values in dB re 1 micro Newton are 53.2 dB for 1000 Hz, 56.8 dB with white noise, and 62.4 dB using speech noise. Any of these three calibrating signals appear appropriate when delivering speech to the B-70-AA or B-71 bone vibrators. Another purpose of this study was to establish normal speech intelligibility functions for the CID W-22 test using the B-71 vibrator. Sixteen subjects with normal hearing were tested at sensation levels (SLs) ranging from 0 to 34 dB. The results showed that intelligibility scores ranged from about 15 percent at 0 dB SL to 95 percent at 34 dB SL, and that the slope of the intelligibility function systematically decreased with increasing intensity. These findings are typical of speech intelligibility functions obtained via air conduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Hearing aid gain-setting performance of experienced users.

This study explores the ability of 30 experienced hearing aid users to reliably reset the gain of their hearing aids in a clinical sound field. The level of the sound-field stimulus was derived from an aided most comfortable level (MCL), which reflected a "real-life" aided gain setting. The results indicated that these subjects were able to perform all tasks with a high degree of reliability, as measured by sound field speech reception thresholds (SRT'S) AND Brüel and Kjaer acoustic analysis. Average aided operational levels for SRT and MCL were also obtained for this group.

Acoustic Stimulation↗