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Proper calibration of the APM before recording a full-day session on a patient -
It is important that during the calibration the subject phonate at the full range that can be expected to utilize when they are being monitored with the APM. Published norms report an average SPL range of 35 dB (Baken and Orlikoff, Clinical Measures of Speech and Voice, 2000). Exact range will depend on the subject. A patient being monitored for a voice disorder will differ from a singer. -
The software will draw a best-fit red line after 5 data points but that is not an indication that you have achieved a good calibration. The software does provide an error message if the fit is not good (statistically), but that is based purely on the data that is available and does not consider that you may not have captured the patient’s amplitude range. It is up to the clinician to have the patient continue to phonate until you think you have achieved a good representation of the patient’s full amplitude range.
Sample Calibration – For someone with a voice disorder, this may be their best achievable range; however, for a singer singing at a 35 dB range when wearing the APM, this is not a good calibration.  Sample Calibration – This calibration shows 40 dB range and would be considered a good calibration.
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