Experience with developing a room to meet the requirements of the joint Australian/New Zealand standard 1270

Abstract

Hearing protectors are used as a "last line of defence" to protect people in high noise exposure environments from noise induced hearing loss. The assessment of hearing protector performance has been standardized to ensure a minimum level of performance for the end user. In New Zealand the standard AS/NZS 1270 specifies a REAT based test method to rate a hearing protector's performance. The rating is used to calculate appropriate exposure times for end users. This paper describes the modification of an existing audiology booth, to meet the sound field requirements specified in AS/NZS 1270. Current status of the facility will be reported; followed by a general discussion on future uses of the facility and related projects at the University of Canterbury. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.