Rockbox

I had this idea/suggestion of a hearing test. It shouldn't be too difficult if a plugin can generate a certain tone at a certain volume (midi?). It also would depend on the volume accuracy of Rockbox (i.e. is 20dB really 20dB when played back, maybe the user should be able to specify the impendance of their headphones, since 8 Ohm phones would sound louder than 16 Ohm phones, which is what most users would have. The form of this could be either a list of Impedances or an input field)

I made a list of what the plugin should be able to do. To display the output may be the most difficult part.
- It first shows an instruction on how to use the test (and maybe a disclaimer).
- generates tones for at least 5 frequencies (common frequencies: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz)
- It does this for the right and left ear.
- It raises the volume in steps until the user can hear the tone, starting at 0dB up to a maximum of around 80dB, which i believe is about the highest volume you can hear for a longer time while being sure not to cause hearing loss. Any higher and you would go in to uncertain territory.)
- It displays a timer for the duration of a certain volume (i would suggest 5 - 10 seconds)
- It also displays the current frequency and volume and a progress meter (i.e. step 1 of 7, for each frequency)
- It requires the user to push a button if he hears the tone
- It outputs the results in an audiogram (example at http://www.med.umich.edu/childhearinginfo/caa.htm)
- It displays an advice, based on the range in which the user scores. -10 to 15dB = normal range; 16 - 30dB = slight/minimal loss; 31 - 51dB = moderate loss; >90dB = profound loss (the last one shouldn't be tested to not cause damage and to be on the safe side.) It also should advice to visit a audiologist for further consulting if the results are above 31dB.
- It also computes a tone average for each ear for 500Hz, 1000Hz and 2000Hz. The result is measured in dB. (it takes the thresholds for these and computes an average. for example right ear - 500Hz: 20dB, 1000Hz: 30dB and 2000Hz: 35dB. The right ear average would be (20+30+35)/3=28dB, which indicates a mild loss. The same goes for the left ear)

source: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing/assess.htm

It goes without saying that music playback should stop during this plugin.

If there are more people who think this would be usefull, let you're opinion be known.