IA | Occupational Health FAQ

Q. Why should I purchase equipment for my occupational health program from Instrumentation Associates rather than my medical supply rep?
A. Account representatives from IA are certified in Audiometry, Spirometry, and Breath Alcohol testing. Complete familiarity with the OSHA regulations, experience in administering tests and the most comprehensive product line in the industry enable us to recommend the right instrument for your specific needs.

Q. What other equipment does Instrumentation Associates provide?
A. In addition to audiometers, sound booths, spirometers, and software, we sell a variety of ECG instruments, vision testers, breath alcohol testers, otoscopes and opthalmascopes, blood pressure instruments, noise measurement equipment and have recently become distributors of "AED"s (Automated External Defibrillators).

Q. Does OSHA require that audiometric testing be done in a sound booth?
A. Audiometric testing must be done in an environment that meets or exceeds OSHA's standards for ambient noise. While it is possible to meet those standards in a "quiet room", it is difficult to maintain them with the typical noise generated in a normal office setting. An audiometric enclosure not only ensures compliance with OSHA but it also enables your staff to be more productive. A sound booth used with a microprocessor audiometer will allow your audiometric technician to do other things while the employee is being tested. A test given in a quiet room requires that the technician be in the room and remain quiet during the test.

Q. Should I purchase a manual or microprocessor audiometer for my Hearing Conservation Program?
A. Microprocessor technology has all but taken over the occupational market. The instruments are accurate, fast and effective. A number of audiometers now have the capability to store more than a thousand tests in the memory, compare current tests to baselines, calculate threshold shifts and correct for aging. Whoever reviews the hearing tests and currently is performing these calculations will truly appreciate this feature. The newest innovation in microprocessor audiometers is "Multi Media". A microprocessor audiometer used in conjuction with an audiometric software system can actually give the initial test instructions and coach the patient verbally in case of an error. This means you will no longer have to be interrupted by alarms, interpret error codes and re-instruct patients.