News from the hinterlands

[Angelo Campanella]

NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 18 October 2009


De Winne, Stott, Thirsk & Williams took the periodic O-OHA (On-Orbit
Hearing Assessment) test, a 30-min NASA environmental health systems
examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures, using a
special software application on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop.
[The O-OHA audiography test involves minimum audibility measurements for
each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10 kHz) and sound pressure
levels, with the crewmembers using individual-specific Prophonics earphones,
new Bose ANC headsets (delivered on 30P) and the SLM (sound level meter). To
conduct the testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software
on the MEC, featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test
frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level at
which the tone can still be heard. The baseline test is required not later
than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then generally
performed once per month. Note: There have been temporary hearing deficits
documented on some U.S. and Russian crewmembers, all of which recovered to
pre-mission levels.]

[Peter Davis]

Post by Angelo Campanella
NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 18 October 2009
De Winne, Stott, Thirsk & Williams took the periodic O-OHA (On-Orbit
Hearing Assessment) test, a 30-min NASA environmental health systems
examination to assess the efficacy of acoustic countermeasures, using
a special software application on the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer)
laptop. [The O-OHA audiography test involves minimum audibility
measurements for each ear over a wide range of frequencies (0.25-10
kHz) and sound pressure levels, with the crewmembers using
individual-specific Prophonics earphones, new Bose ANC headsets
(delivered on 30P) and the SLM (sound level meter). To conduct the
testing, the experimenter is supported by special EarQ software on the
MEC, featuring an up/down-arrow-operated slider for each test
frequency that the crewmember moves to the lowest sound pressure level
at which the tone can still be heard. The baseline test is required
not later than about Flight Day 14 for each new Expedition and is then
generally performed once per month. Note: There have been temporary
hearing deficits documented on some U.S. and Russian crewmembers, all
of which recovered to pre-mission levels.]

I am glad to hear that NASA is keeping up with their OSHA responsibilities.
I recall a few years back while our (then) firm was involved with
retrofitting the Crawler Transporters for noise control, that on orbit
noise was also a rather big concern. I also was told by one of the Brüel &
Kjær reps from Denmark that there are three of their 2260 flying on the ISS
for noise measurements as needed. Triple redundancy as always! I am afraid
that I may be getting too old (large) to make that site visit and measure
the fans!