Section 590.90  Audiometric Test

a)         "Audiometric test" means any test, using calibrated audiometric equipment, to determine the status of the hearing system (77 Ill. Adm. Code 682.100).

b)         An audiometric test will be purchased when:

1)         the customer does not have documentation of the level of hearing loss to determine eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation Services; and

2)         the customer wants or will benefit from hearing aids.

c)         An audiometric test must be performed prior to the hearing evaluation.

d)         An audiometric test shall align with 77 Ill. Adm. Code 682.300 Established Test Procedures and consist of:

1)         an air and bone conduction test. Air and bone conduction test results shall be obtained for each client in the manner specified in the ANSI Methods for Pure Tone Threshold Audiometry (see 77 Ill. Adm. Code 682.105(a)(2));

2)         masking.  Masking shall be applied to the non-test ear whenever the test stimulus, which is delivered to the test ear, arrives at and/or is likely to be perceived in the non-test ear;

3)         speech reception threshold.  Speech reception threshold shall be accomplished with a speech audiometer as defined in and calibrated to the ANSI Specifications for Audiometers (77 Ill. Adm. Code 682.105(a)(1)).  The spondaic words shall be presented by recording or live voice.  The results from either recorded or live voice testing shall be in decibels hearing level (dBHL);

4)         speech discrimination/identification tests.  Speech discrimination/identification tests shall be administered using a speech audiometer as defined in and calibrated to the ANSI Specifications for Audiometers (77 Ill. Adm. Code 682.105(a)(1)).  The results shall be recorded as the percentage of the total number of words correctly identified at a specified presentation level;

5)         most comfortable loudness level.  "Most Comfortable Loudness" shall be obtained using sound or speech via recorded or live voice presentation and shall be measured and recorded in dBHL; and

6)         uncomfortable loudness level.  "Uncomfortable loudness level" shall be obtained using sound or speech via recorded or live voice presentation and shall be measured and recorded in dBHL.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 6974, effective May 1, 2025)