Glossary of Terms for the FONIX 7000 203
RMS Root Mean Square. An overall measurement of the signal going in or
coming out of a hearing aid. When measuring with Pure tones, the
RMS level at each individual frequency will be the same as the level
shown at each frequency on a response curve. When measuring with
a Composite Tone, the (overall) RMS level will be several dB higher
than the level at each frequency on a response curve, since all the
frequencies are presented at once.
SATURATION The condition where any further increase in input level will yield no
further increase in output level.
SINE TONE A testing tone consisting of only one frequency. Same as Pure tone.
SMOOTHING A “rounding-off” of a curve, removing minor peaks and valleys, to
create a more readable curve, using a method that is equivalent to
warbling the input signal.
SOFTWARE The programming part of a computer system.
SPA Special purpose average: according to ANSI S3.22, the averaged
response at specially designated frequencies.
SPL Sound Pressure Level. Expressed in decibels (dB), a logarithmic
measure of the energy (amplitude) of a particular sound as compared to
the energy of a specified reference sound.
SSPL (OSPL) Saturation Sound Pressure Level. The greatest SPL that a given
amplifier can produce.
SSPL-90 Saturated Sound Pressure Level for an input of 90 dB SPL.
(OSPL-90)
SWEEP A sequence of pure tone frequencies, which generates a frequency
response curve.
TARGET A curve, based on an audiogram and a prescription strategy, presenting
the theoretically optimum response that a hearing aid should have for a
particular hearing loss.
TELECOIL Same as COIL. In the 7000, it is an accessory that generates a magnetic
field for testing the telephone pickup of a hearing aid. The telecoil is a
standard feature with the 7020 sound chamber.
UNAIDED A frequency response measured inside the ear canal without a hearing
RESPONSE aid in place. Also known as “External Ear Effect,” the Unaided
Response consists of the combined acoustic affects of the head, torso,
pinna, and ear canal. When measured in a real ear (as opposed to a
manikin), it is called the “Real Ear Unaided Response” (or “REUR”).
UNWEIGHTED A measurement of the amplification (gain) of an aid using an input
GAIN signal (source) that has equal power across all test frequencies.
