What’s New in ASA Standards
ASA Standards are used by academia and practitioners – across corporations, manufacturers, universities, and government agencies and generating public confidence, building customer trust, ensuring safety, and opening business and market opportunities.
ASA/ANSI S3/SC1.7-2026
Standard for Acoustic Metadata for Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Abstract
This standard covers terms and definitions necessary to describe information derived from passive acoustic monitoring activities. This ranges from detection and characterization of biotic and abiotic signals as well as localizations derived from multiple audio streams. In addition, terms and definitions sufficient to characterize the instrumentation for productive use of such data (e.g. instrument location, sample rates, etc.) are covered.
Who would use this standard / What market does this standard serve?
This standard is for government agencies, scientists, and companies that monitor ocean and environmental sound. It helps ensure everyone uses the same terms and data descriptions when collecting and analyzing acoustic recordings, making it easier to share information, compare results, and meet regulatory requirements.
Why purchase this standard?
Organizations would purchase this standard to ensure they are using consistent, recognized terminology when collecting and analyzing passive acoustic monitoring data. It helps improve data quality, supports regulatory compliance, and makes it easier to share, compare, and defend findings across projects, agencies, and research groups.
This standard was published with a supplemental “How-To Guide” for the implementation and use of the standard.
If you would like to access this guide, click here.
ASA/ANSI S1.6-2025
Preferred Frequencies and Filter Band Center Frequencies for Acoustical Measurements
This standard defines preferred frequencies and nominal filter band center frequencies to be used for acoustical measurements. Exact filter center frequencies for constant percent bandwidth filter banks are calculated using ordinal integer band numbers. The differences between the preferred frequencies for pure tone measurements and constant percent bandwidth filter center frequencies are described. Controlled free sound field for acoustical measurements in a confined space within the facility.
Who would use this standard / What market does this standard serve?
- Acousticians
- Researchers
- Educators
- Standards Developers
- Noise Control Engineers
- Consultants
Why purchase this standard? It provides a convenient set of lookup tables for preferred frequencies and constant-percent-band filter center frequencies, along with the equations used to calculate them.
Standards Packages
We’re excited to introduce ASA Standards Packages—curated collections of related acoustical standards now available in partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) through the ASA Webstore.
These packages make it easier and more cost-effective to access the standards most relevant to your work. Each collection brings together key documents within a topic area, providing convenient, discounted access in a single purchase.
Explore the current offerings below and visit the ASA Standards Store to learn more.
Explore Standards Packages
- ASA/ANSI S3.6 / ASA/ANSI S3.1 Audiometric Set
- ASA/ANSI S3.6 / ASA/ANSI S3.7 – Audiometers and Earphones Set
- ASA/ANSI S12.2 / ASA/ANSI S3.6 – Room Noise and Audiometers Set
- ASA/ANSI S2.75 – Shaft Alignment Methodology Package
- ASA/ANSI S12.42 / ISO 4869 – Hearing Protectors Package
- ASA/ANSI S12.2 / ISO 3382 – Room Acoustic Parameters Package
- ASA/ANSI S12.6 / ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 – Ear, Eye and Face Protection Set
- ASA/ANSI S3.6 / ASA/ANSI S3.1 / ASA/ANSI S3.39 – Audiometric Package
- ASA/ANSI S12.60 – Acoustical Performance, Design and Guidelines Package
- ASA/ANSI S2.81 / ISO 21940 – Mechanical Vibration – Rotor Balancing Set
ASA/ANSI S3.35-2025
Method of Measurement of Performance Characteristics of Hearing Aids Under Simulated Real-Ear Working Conditions
This Standard describes techniques used to measure hearing aids under simulated conditions of real ear use. For the purpose of these measurements, a standard manikin and ear simulator are used to represent a typical hearing aid wearer. Acoustical requirements of the test space as well as how the manikin is positioned with respect to the sound source are given. Methods are provided to obtain both the aided gain and the insertion gain, in order to determine the increase in sound pressure relative to the unaided condition, with and without the acoustical effect of the manikin. Procedures are also provided to obtain the directional response of the hearing aid on the manikin as a function of azimuth and elevation of the sound source, and to calculate the directivity from the directional response. In addition, the methods can also be used to obtain the free field on-axis and polar response of a directional hearing aid without the manikin to verify the performance of the directional processing.
Who would use this standard? Manufacturers of noise-making products and purchasers thereof, and associated industry groups. Also, NGOs and other groups concerned about noise. This Standard gives general requirements and guidelines for how to properly and uniformly provide product noise level information to the public.
What market does this standard serve?
- Hearing aid manufacturers, dispensers, audiologists, and clinicians.
- Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Industry advocacy groups (HIA, AAA, ADA)
Why purchase this standard? Methods contained in this standard supersede obsolete and technically incorrect information in IEC 60118-8. The standard also includes software for plotting 3D polar plots (i.e. ‘balloon patterns’) and to calculate the directivitive index from the 3D polar data.
ASA/ANSI S3.6-2025
Specification of Audiometers
The audiometers covered in this specification are devices designed for use in determining the hearing threshold level of an individual in comparison with a chosen standard reference threshold level. This standard provides specifications and tolerances for pure tone, speech, and masking signals and describes the minimum test capabilities of different types of audiometers. Methods and requirements for calibration of audiometers are provided.
Who would use this standard? Audiologists, consumers of audiology services, instrument manufacturers, audiometer service centers.
What market does this standard serve? Audiologists, consumers of audiology services, instrument manufacturers, audiometer service centers.
Why purchase this standard? Audiologists, instrument manufacturers, and audiometer service providers should be familiar with this standard. The standard is revised to update reference threshold levels and other specifications, definitions of terms, and bibliography and to improve the accuracy and clarity of the current version.