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J Am Acad Audiol 2022; 33(04): 214-219
DOI: 10.1055/a-1743-5514
Research Article

AMBAND Bone-Conduction Headband

Robert H. Margolis
1   Audiology Incorporated, Arden Hills, Minnesota
,
Janet C. Margolis
1   Audiology Incorporated, Arden Hills, Minnesota
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Abstract

Purpose As bone-conduction thresholds vary with the coupling force between the vibrator and the head, it is important that the coupling force be within the range specified by audiometer standards. The development and validation of AMBAND, an elastic headband for coupling an audiometric bone vibrator to the head, in either the mastoid or forehead position, is described.

Methods The headband was constructed from woven, fold-over elastic with Velcro attachment points to produce the proper force on the head for various head sizes. Force measurements were made with a digital force gauge on five artificial heads, representing adult females, adult males, children (age 6 years), infants (age 6 months), and newborns with the bone vibrator in the mastoid and forehead positions. Additional measurements were made with the Radioear P-3333 spring band that is in common use.

Results Force measurements were highly repeatable within a given headband and across headbands. Force measurements for AMBAND were within the range specified by the ANSI S3.6-2018. The Radioear P-3333 spring band produced force levels that exceeded the specified range and had higher variability compared with AMBAND.

Conclusion AMBAND can be used to couple audiometric bone vibrators to the head in the forehead and mastoid positions during bone-conduction testing to provide accurate threshold measurements.

Keywords

bone conduction - audiometry - coupling force

Disclaimer

Any mention of a product, service, or procedure in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology does not constitute an endorsement of the product, service, or procedure by the American Academy of Audiology.




Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
18 January 2022

Article published online:
06 December 2022

© 2022. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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