April 6, 1983

Mr. E. L. Friedrich
Sales Manager
Tracor Instruments
6500 Tracor Lane
Austin, Texas 78721

Dear Mr. Friedrich:

Thank you for your letter of March 25, 1983, concerning the use of an electroacoustic ear to perform the required daily functional check. This functional check requires that the audiometer be tested using a person with known stable hearing and that a listening check be performed. The electroacoustic ear can be used in place of the testing requirement, but the listening check still must be performed to make sure that the signal is free of unwanted sounds or distortion, and that the general functioning of the audiometer is satisfactory. The position was stated in the preamble of the August 21, 1981, Hearing Conservation Amendment (pgs. 42628-42629)and remains in effect for the final hearing conservation amendment as published on March 8, 1983.

I hope this information will be helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,



R. Leonard Vance, Ph.D.
Director
Health Standards Programs