They are not uniform. We have four two which are HRAs. The one HRA is way louder. We had our vendor come and test all of them. It came out much higher at over 70db. It still under these limits but very hard to be heard over especially with a hearing impaired patient. ________________________________ From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Allen R. Katz Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 5:50 PM To: optimal Subject: [optimal] Re: Spectralis SPECTRALIS Sound Level Summary The SPECTRALIS(r) system has been tested to IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and Federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards and falls well within the guidelines for safe sound levels. Test results for the SPECTRALIS system meet the sound level requirements of the IEC standard for medical electrical equipment. As tested, the maximum recorded sound level was 50.8 decibels, which is classified as "moderate." For comparison, the sound level of normal conversation is about 60 db. (See Sound Level Comparison table below.) Federal standards place limits on work environment sound exposure starting with 90 decibels, with a limitation of 8 hours of exposure. For more information visit the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration website at: www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9735 Sound Level Comparison* Painful 130 dB = jackhammer 120 dB = jet plane take-off, amplified rock music at 4-6 ft., car stereo, band practice Extremely Loud 110 dB = rock music, model airplane 90 dB = lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, subway Very Loud 80 dB = alarm clock, busy street 60 dB = conversation, dishwasher Moderate 50 dB = moderate rainfall 40 dB = quiet room Faint 30 dB = whisper, quiet library *This sound comparison chart and further information on "noise" can be found at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/noise.htm Allen R Katz, CRA COT OCT-C CRA Section Chair PO Box 24147 Omaha NE 68124-0147 Telephone: 402-598-0925 FAX: 402-393-5886 <http://www.heidelbergengineering.com/us?utm_campaign=heidelbergbutton&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hei_button><http://www.bluepeakexperience.com/home.html?utm_campaign=heidelbergbutton&utm_medium=email&utm_source=blupeak_button> ________________________________ Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:06:52 -0400 Subject: [optimal] Spectralis From: rbsantora@xxxxxxxxx To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To All, Is there any concerns about the high pitched frequency sound from the Spectralis causing potential harm? I have suggested discreet protective ear wear by anyone that is uncomfortable around the sound. I was asked by our docs to start a thread to see how other offices are addressing this. Thanks