National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 

P.O. Box 18070 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236 

Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007

DETERMINATION OF COMMUNICATION PERFORMANCE TEST FOR SPEECH CONVEYANCE 

AND INTELLIGIBILITY OF CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR 

(CBRN) FULL-FACEPIECE AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATOR (APR) STANDARD TESTING 

PROCEDURE 

1. PURPOSE

1.1. This test establishes the procedures for ensuring that the level of speech conveyance and 

 intelligibility provided by the Communication Performance Test on Chemical Biological 

 Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Full Facepiece Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) 

 submitted for Approval, or Extension of Approval, or examined during Certified Product 

 Audits, meet the minimum certification standards set forth in 42 CFR Part 84, Subpart G, 

 Section 84.63(a)(c)(d) and the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, 

 Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Full-Facepiece Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) 

 dated 3-7-2003. 

1.2. The purpose of this test is to quantify the performance of a respirator in transmitting 

intelligible speech of a human test subject. This is accomplished by determining a 

listener’s ability to comprehend single-syllable words spoken by a subject wearing the 

respirator. 

2. GENERAL

2.1. This STP describes the Communication Performance Tests for Speech Conveyance and 

Intelligibility of the CBRN APR in sufficient detail that a person knowledgeable in the 

appropriate technical field can select equipment with the necessary resolution, select the 

appropriate human subject test panel, conduct the test, and determine whether or not the 

product passes the test. 

2.2. The Communication Performance Test shall be performed through the use of the 

Modified Rhyme Test (MRT) to evaluate a listener’s ability to comprehend single words 

from a speaker. Both listeners and speakers shall be in combinations of masked and 

unmasked postures during the MRT to provide an indication of speech transmission and 

intelligibility. 

2.3. This test is considered a human factors test that requires participation of 8 test subjects to 

quantify the performance rating of a respirator to transmit intelligible speech. 

Approvals: 

First Level Second Level Third Level Fourth Level 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 2 of 24 

3. EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

3.1. Test Subjects 

 

3.1.1. Test administrators: Shall have successfully completed the CDC/ATSDR 

Scientific Ethics Training, DHHS/NIH Human Participant Protections Education 

for Research Teams or an equivalent course. 

3.1.1.1. Administrator 1 shall have the duties of monitoring the test speakers’ 

speech. Administrator 1 shall also monitor the actions of the listener 

group to make sure they are responding to the test speaker and not 

misbehaving during the test.

3.1.1.2. Administrator 2 shall monitor the dBA level of the test speaker and give 

verbal or nonverbal feedback as to loudness of his/her speech. 

Administrator 2 shall also record the dBA level on the Respirator 

Communication Performance Test Data Collection Sheet (see 8.4).

3.1.2. Eight test subjects are required for this test. All procedures and requirements 

specified in the NIOSH Human Subject Review Board (HSRB) Protocol HSRB04-NPPTL-02XP entitled, “Protocol for the Certification and Quality Assurance 

Testing of Respirators” shall be followed and met. 

3.1.3. The eight test subjects shall be divided into two groups, a listener group 

comprised of three subjects (at least one female and one male) and a speaker 

group comprised of five subjects (at least one female and one male). 

3.1.4. All test speakers and listeners shall be fluent in English. In addition, these 

subjects shall have no obvious or strong regional or foreign accents. 

3.1.5. The eight test subjects shall be trained in the donning and use of the respirator 

per manufacturer’s instructions by the test administrator. 

3.1.6. Each subject shall be sized and fitted for the respirator per manufacturer’s 

instructions. Where an individual is qualified to wear multiple sizes of the 

respirator, the subject shall select the respirator size that provides the most 

comfortable fit. 

3.1.7. The subjects shall have normal hearing as defined in the HSRB Protocol (see 

3.1.2.). 

 

3.1.8. The test subjects shall not have any facial hair or conditions that may cause 

interference with the seal of the respirator facepiece. 

3.2. Test Equipment 

3.2.1. Permanent Marker 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 3 of 24 

3.2.2. Measuring tape, foot & inch, minimum 20 feet length. 

3.2.3. Test laboratory that permits an unobstructed 10 +1/-0 ft distance between test 

speaker and the listener group when facing one another. Figure 1 contains a 

diagram of the subject and equipment positioning for the Modified Rhyme Test 

setup. 

L3

L1

Center line S L2

10 ft

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

9 ft

5 ft

S = Speaker

L1, L2, L3 = Listener 1, Listener 2, & Listener 3

SLM = Sound level meter

SLM SLM

Figure 1. Modified Rhyme Test setup diagram 

 3.2.4. Noise Plug, Precision Pink Noise Test Generator (GTC Industries) or equivalent 

 for producing pink noise in the frequency range of 20.0 Hz to 50.0 kHz. 

 Accuracy: 3dB per octave rolloff from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

 Pink noise is defined as an audio test signal that contains all the frequencies in 

 the audio spectrum with equal energy in each octave. Pink noise contains less 

 energy in the higher audio frequencies than in the lower ones. 

Figure 2. Noise Plug, Precision Pink Noise Generator (GTC Industries) 

3.2.5. The stereo amplifier is positioned outside the room and used to transmit and 

amplify the background noise. 

3.2.6. The two loudspeakers are positioned midway between test speaker and listeners. 

Details of the exact positioning of the speaker equipment are further defined in 

Section 5.3.2 

3.2.7. Two Type 2 digital sound level meters (Sper Scientific, LTD, Model 840029) 

with an “A” weighting decibel scale of 30 to 130 dB or equivalent. One sound 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 4 of 24 

level meter will be positioned in front of the Test Speaker and the second sound 

level meter will be positioned at head level beside listener L2 (see figure 1). 

Figure 3. Sper Scientific LTD digital sound level meter, Model 840029 

3.2.8. Sper Scientific, LTD Acoustical calibrator (model 840031) or equivalent is used 

to calibrate the sound level meters. 

Figure 4. Acoustical calibrator (Sper Scientific model 840031) 

3.2.9. Twelve word lists from the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT). These twelve word 

lists are separated onto individual sheets to be used by the test speakers during 

the test (see 8.1) 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 5 of 24 

3.2.10. Test listeners’ multiple choice answer pages on the laptops or equivalent. 

Modified Rhyme Test listener responses are recorded and scored using laptops 

that have been programmed for this application; otherwise, the manual method 

using the multiple choice answer sheets can be employed (see 8.2). 

3.2.11. Sound and/or audiovisual recording device for recording speech.

4. TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

4.1. Prior to beginning any testing, all measuring equipment to be used must have been 

calibrated in accordance with the testing laboratory’s procedure and schedule. All 

measuring equipment utilized for this testing must have been calibrated using a method 

traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) when available. 

4.2. Any laboratory using this procedure to supply certification test data as a contractor to 

NIOSH will be subject to the provisions of the NIOSH Supplier Qualification Program 

(SQP). This program is based on the tenets of ISO/IEC 17025, the NIOSH Manual of 

Analytical Methods and other NIOSH guidelines. An initial complete quality system audit 

and follow on audits are requirements of the program. Additional details of the Program 

and its requirements can be obtained directly from the Institute.* 

*Note 4.2 does not apply to Pretest data from applicants as required under 42 CFR 

84.64. 

4.3. Precision and accuracy (P&A) must be determined for each instrument in accordance 

with laboratory procedures and NIOSH/NPPTL guidance. Sound practice requires, under 

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, demonstrating a tolerance range of expected data 

performance of a plus or minus 25% of a 95% confidence interval of the stated standard 

requirement. NIOSH/NPPTL P&A tolerance can be higher but not lower. 

4.4. Normal laboratory safety practices must be observed. 

4.4.1. All electrical equipment cables and wires must be covered or fastened securely to 

the floor by a rug or tape to eliminate trip hazards. 

4.4.2. Worktables must be maintained free of clutter and non-essential test equipment. 

4.4.3. All large test equipment such as the stereo amplifier, speakers, and noise 

generator shall be securely anchored to eliminate toppling hazards. 

5. PROCEDURES 

5.1. Fill in the Pretest data on the Respirator Communication Performance Test Data 

Collection Sheet (see 8.3). 

5.2. Record the background noise of the room without any external noise, at the center 

listener’s head position, on the Respirator Communication Performance Test Data 

Collection Sheet. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 6 of 24 

5.3. Test Equipment Set-Up. 

5.3.1. Room Selection. 

The room selected to perform the MRT shall be of ample size to comfortably 

house all the test equipment indicated in Figure 1 and the personnel associated 

with the test. It shall be free of external noise interference. 

5.3.2. Equipment Positioning 

The test equipment shall be arranged in accordance with the diagram of Figure 1. 

The loudspeakers shall be positioned such that their forward axes are oriented 

toward one another at a height of approximately 29.5 inches from the floor and 

they are 9 +0.5/-0 ft from the center of the sound field between the test speaker 

and listeners. The laptops will be placed directly in front of the listeners at a 

convenient distance away. 

5.4. Training of the Test Speakers. 

5.4.1. Without the listeners in the room, one subject at a time will be seated in the test 

speaker’s position and be given an individual MRT word list from section 8.1. A 

sound level meter will be positioned in front of the test speaker at a convenient 

distance as a guide concerning the loudness of their voice during reading of the 

word list. The sound level meter shall be set to display “A”-weighted sound 

levels. 

5.4.2. Test administrator 1 shall be seated beside the test speaker to monitor the reading 

of the word list. The administrator shall instruct the test speaker to read, without 

placing any unusual emphasis on any stimulus word, at a rate of approximately 

one phrase every 6 seconds, using the introductory phrase “The word is (list 

word)”. In addition, the test speaker shall be directed to communicate each word 

without using any visual gestures, such as hand signals, and without repeating 

any of the list words. 

5.4.3. Test administrator 2 shall be seated in the center test listener’s position and 

instruct the test speaker to begin reading the word list at a voice level of 75 to 85 

dBA. 

5.4.4. During the reading of the word list, test administrator 2 will monitor the “A”-

weighted output volume of the speaker and provide feedback as to the loudness 

of the speaker’s performance throughout the reading of the word list. Test 

administrator 1 will provide feedback to the test speaker regarding the 

pronunciation of the list words and the rate of performance. Additional training 

will be done if warranted per the judgment of the test administrators. These 

procedures will be completed without the use of a respirator and without any 

background noise above ambient conditions. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 7 of 24 

5.4.5. Additionally, training with background noise of 60 ± 2 dBA consisting of a pink 

noise will also be completed according to the above procedures in section 5.4. 

5.5. Training of the Test Listeners. 

5.5.1. The three test listeners shall be seated facing a single test speaker at a distance of 

10 ft. The listeners shall be seated next to one another with approximately one 

foot between them. Each listener will be given a laptop with a list of multiple 

choice words for recording his or her responses. Alternate means for recording 

the test listener’s, responses such as paper answer sheets, are acceptable (see 8.2). 

5.5.2. An MRT word list will be provided to a trained test speaker. The test speaker 

will be instructed to communicate the word list to the test listeners as was done 

during speaker training. 

5.5.3. As a group, listeners will be instructed to listen attentively as the test speaker 

reads 50 words to them each with the introductory phrase “The word is (list 

word).” The test listeners shall be directed to select, or make a best guess of the 

word, that was perceived to be spoken from the six possible response words 

provided to them on the laptops. Test listeners shall also be instructed to provide 

a “thumbs-up” hand signal to the speaker as a cue to say the next phrase. 

5.5.4. During the reading of the word list, administrator 2 will monitor the A-weighted 

output volume of the speaker at the listening position and provide feedback as to 

the loudness throughout the reading of the word list. In addition, test 

administrator 1 will provide the test speaker feedback regarding the rate of 

performance. Administrator 1 will also monitor the actions of the listener group 

and provide additional instructions as needed. Additional training will be done if 

warranted per the judgment of the test administrators. These procedures will be 

completed without the use of a respirator and without any background noise 

above ambient conditions. 

5.5.5. Additionally, training with background noise of 60 ± 2 dBA consisting of a pink 

noise will also be completed according to the above procedures. 

5.6. Conducting the Test. 

5.6.1. The noise generator shall be turned on and set to produce 60 ±2 dBA of pink 

noise, as measured by the sound level meter at the center test listener’s head 

position without listeners present. This value shall be recorded on the Respirator 

Communication Performance Test Data Collection Sheet. 

5.6.2. The three test listeners shall be seated in the listening position with a laptop 

located conveniently in front of them. 

5.6.3. A test speaker will then be positioned in the speaking position and present one 

complete MRT word list to the listening panel. A different test speaker shall then 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 8 of 24 

be used to present the next MRT trial. Test speakers will continue to rotate 

among the speaker test panel until all trials have been completed. 

5.6.4. Data will be obtained without the respirator and with the respirator worn and 

operated per the manufacturer’s instructions by both speakers and listeners. All 

conditions shall be randomly assigned and a different word list shall be used for 

each test. A test matrix of the MRT conditions is provided in Table 2 to assist 

the test administrator in establishing the sequence of testing. 

Table 2. MRT Trial Matrix

Trial # Speaker With or Without Mask Word list 

1 1 No mask 11A 

2 2 No mask 3A 

3 3 Masked 5A 

4 4 Masked 7A 

5 5 No mask 4A 

6 2 Masked 12A 

7 4 No mask 5A 

8 1 Masked 1A 

9 5 Masked 8A 

10 3 No mask 6A 

5.6.5. Background noise levels shall be monitored at the center test listener’s head 

position and recorded, on the Respirator Communication Performance Test Data 

Collection Sheet, at the beginning, middle, and end of each MRT session by 

administrator 2. 

5.6.6. The test speakers shall be monitored and recorded during the test to determine if 

the test speakers conform to the word list specified for each trial by test 

administrator 1. Test administrator 1 shall also make note of any improperly 

pronounced or misspoken words by the test speakers. 

5.6.7. A total of 10 MRT trials shall be performed. The 10 trials will result in a total of 

15 MRT scores (five per listener) for the unworn mask condition and 15 scores 

for the worn condition. 

5.7. Data Analysis. 

5.7.1. Use the Respirator Communication Performance Test Data Collection Sheets, to 

assist with the analysis of the ten MRT for each listener. 

5.7.2. The number of correct responses shall be adjusted for chance or guessing made 

possible by the multiple-choice form of the answer sheet using the equation: 

Adjusted Score = Number of Correct _ Number of Wrong 

 Listener Responses Listener Responses 

 5 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 9 of 24 

5.7.3. Determine the Number of Words Spoken Correctly by the speakers from either 

the Test Administrators notes or if necessary, by listening to the Audio recorder 

tapes. 

5.7.4. Listener performance on the MRT shall be scored in terms of the percentage of 

words correctly identified using the equation for both the masked and unmasked 

posture: 

% Correct = (Adjusted Score/Number of Words Spoken Correctly) * 100 

5.7.5. Average Unmasked and Average Masked % Correct Scores shall be calculated 

for each individual listener. 

5.7.6. Each individual listener’s Average Masked % Correct Score shall be divided by 

their Average Unmasked % Correct Score to calculate a Performance Rating

using the equation: 

Performance Rating (%) = 100 x 

Average Correct % Unmasked Score

Correct % Masked Average Score

⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

5.7.7. The performance rating of all listeners shall then be averaged to determine the 

Overall Performance Rating of the CBRN APR using the following Equation:

Overall Performance Rating (%) =

Performance Rating (%) L1 + Performance Rating (%) L2 + Performance Rating (%) 

L3 

3 

6. PASS/FAIL CRITERIA

6.1. The criterion for passing this test is set forth in 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart G, Section 

 84.63(a)(c)(d) and the Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological 

 and Nuclear (CBRN) Full-Facepiece Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) dated 3-7-2003. 

6.2 A candidate CBRN APR must obtain an Overall Performance Rating greater than or 

 equal to 70% to meet the Communication requirement. 

7. RECORDS/TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data shall be recorded on the Respirator Communication Performance Test Data 

Collection Sheets. 

8. ATTACHMENTS

8.1. CBRN APR Communication Performance Word List Test Sheets 

8.2. CBRN APR Communication Performance Test Listener Data Sheet

8.3. Respirator Communication Performance Test Data Collection Sheet

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313 Revision: 2.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 10 of 24 

Section 8.1 

CBRN APR Communication Performance Word List Test Sheets

List 1A 

1. The word is but 

2. The word is kit 

3. The word is peak 

4. The word is pig 

5. The word is cold 

6. The word is sick 

7. The word is pat 

8. The word is beat 

9. The word is hot 

10. The word is fit 

11. The word is sung 

12. The word is sent 

13. The word is rest 

14. The word is mat 

15. The word is top 

16. The word is sack 

17. The word is day 

18. The word is heal 

19. The word is name 

20. The word is pay 

21. The word is must 

22. The word is pun 

23. The word is hen 

24. The word is cud 

25. The word is book 

26. The word is late 

27. The word is led 

28. The word is same 

29. The word is pin 

30. The word is feel 

31. The word is soil 

32. The word is fizz 

33. The word is park 

34. The word is bash 

35. The word is till 

36. The word is male 

37. The word is dud 

38. The word is sin 

39. The word is tack 

40. The word is case 

41. The word is bang 

42. The word is thaw 

43. The word is ray 

44. The word is dig 

45. The word is team 

46. The word is win 

47. The word is seek 

48. The word is bun 

49. The word is feat 

50. The word is sip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 11 of 24 

List 2A 

1. The word is bus 

2. The word is kick 

3. The word is peas 

4. The word is fig 

5. The word is hold 

6. The word is lick 

7. The word is pass

8. The word is beach 

9. The word is pot 

10. The word is bit 

11. The word is sub 

12. The word is went 

13. The word is west 

14. The word is map 

15. The word is cop 

16. The word is sap 

17. The word is pay 

18. The word is heath 

19. The word is tame 

20. The word is pale 

21. The word is gust 

22. The word is pus 

23. The word is then 

24. The word is cuss 

25. The word is cook 

26. The word is lace 

27. The word is bed 

28. The word is save 

29. The word is pit 

30. The word is reel 

31. The word is boil 

32. The word is fib 

33. The word is bark 

34. The word is bad 

35. The word is fill 

36. The word is gale 

37. The word is duck 

38. The word is sit 

39. The word is tap 

40. The word is cane 

41. The word is sang 

42. The word is saw 

43. The word is race 

44. The word is dim 

45. The word is teak 

46. The word is din 

47. The word is seethe 

48. The word is run 

49. The word is meat 

50. The word is dip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 12 of 24 

List 3A 

1. The word is bug 

2. The word is kin 

3. The word is peach 

4. The word is rig 

5. The word is gold 

6. The word is tick 

7. The word is pan 

8. The word is beak 

9. The word is got 

10. The word is hit 

11. The word is sup 

12. The word is rent 

13. The word is best 

14. The word is math 

15. The word is hop 

16. The word is sad 

17. The word is gay 

18. The word is heap 

19. The word is fame 

20. The word is page 

21. The word is bust 

22. The word is puff 

23. The word is ten 

24. The word is cup 

25. The word is took 

26. The word is lake 

27. The word is shed 

28. The word is safe 

29. The word is pig 

30. The word is eel 

31. The word is toil 

32. The word is fill 

33. The word is lark 

34. The word is bath 

35. The word is will 

36. The word is tale 

37. The word is dung 

38. The word is sill 

39. The word is tang 

40. The word is cave 

41. The word is rang 

42. The word is jaw 

43. The word is raze 

44. The word is dip 

45. The word is teal 

46. The word is pin 

47. The word is seem 

48. The word is fun 

49. The word is heat 

50. The word is rip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 13 of 24 

List 4A 

1. The word is bun 

2. The word is kill 

3. The word is peace 

4. The word is big 

5. The word is told 

6. The word is kick 

7. The word is pad 

8. The word is bean 

9. The word is lot 

10. The word is kit 

11. The word is sum 

12. The word is bent 

13. The word is vest 

14. The word is man 

15. The word is mop 

16. The word is sat 

17. The word is say 

18. The word is hear 

19. The word is game 

20. The word is pave 

21. The word is dust 

22. The word is puck 

23. The word is men 

24. The word is cuff 

25. The word is hook 

26. The word is lane 

27. The word is fed 

28. The word is sale 

29. The word is pip 

30. The word is peel 

31. The word is coil 

32. The word is fit 

33. The word is mark 

34. The word is bat 

35. The word is bill 

36. The word is bale 

37. The word is dub 

38. The word is sing 

39. The word is tam 

40. The word is cape 

41. The word is hang 

42. The word is law 

43. The word is rake 

44. The word is dill 

45. The word is tease 

46. The word is fin 

47. The word is seen 

48. The word is gun 

49. The word is seat 

50. The word is hip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 14 of 24 

List 5A 

1. The word is buck 

2. The word is king 

3. The word is peat 

4. The word is dig 

5. The word is fold 

6. The word is wick 

7. The word is pack 

8. The word is bead 

9. The word is not 

10. The word is wit 

11. The word is sun 

12. The word is tent 

13. The word is test 

14. The word is mad 

15. The word is pop 

16. The word is sass 

17. The word is way 

18. The word is heat 

19. The word is same 

20. The word is pane 

21. The word is just 

22. The word is pup 

23. The word is pen 

24. The word is cut 

25. The word is shook 

26. The word is lay 

27. The word is red 

28. The word is sane 

29. The word is pill 

30. The word is keel 

31. The word is oil 

32. The word is fig 

33. The word is hark 

34. The word is ban 

35. The word is hill 

36. The word is pale 

37. The word is dun 

38. The word is sick 

39. The word is tab 

40. The word is cake 

41. The word is fang 

42. The word is raw 

43. The word is rate 

44. The word is did 

45. The word is teach 

46. The word is sin 

47. The word is seed 

48. The word is sun 

49. The word is neat 

50. The word is tip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 15 of 24 

List 6A 

1. The word is buff 

2. The word is kid 

3. The word is peal 

4. The word is wig 

5. The word is sold 

6. The word is pick 

7. The word is path 

8. The word is beam 

9. The word is tot 

10. The word is sit 

11. The word is sud 

12. The word is dent 

13. The word is nest 

14. The word is mass 

15. The word is shop 

16. The word is sag 

17. The word is may 

18. The word is heave 

19. The word is came 

20. The word is pace 

21. The word is rust 

22. The word is pub 

23. The word is den 

24. The word is cub 

25. The word is look 

26. The word is lame 

27. The word is wed 

28. The word is sake 

29. The word is pick 

30. The word is heel 

31. The word is foil 

32. The word is fin 

33. The word is dark 

34. The word is back 

35. The word is kill 

36. The word is sale 

37. The word is dug 

38. The word is sip 

39. The word is tan 

40. The word is came 

41. The word is gang 

42. The word is paw 

43. The word is rave 

44. The word is din 

45. The word is tear 

46. The word is tin 

47. The word is seep 

48. The word is nun 

49. The word is beat

50. The word is lip

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 16 of 24 

 

List 7A

1. The word is lick 

2. The word is beat 

3. The word is puff 

4. The word is cook 

5. The word is tip 

6. The word is rave 

7. The word is hang 

8. The word is till 

9. The word is math 

10. The word is sale 

11. The word is same 

12. The word is peal 

13. The word is kit 

14. The word is sat 

15. The word is sin 

16. The word is gold 

17. The word is buff 

18. The word is lay 

19. The word is nun 

20. The word is must 

21. The word is pad 

22. The word is din 

23. The word is sit 

24. The word is win 

25. The word is teak 

26. The word is dent 

27. The word is sub 

28. The word is led 

29. The word is tot 

30. The word is dub 

31. The word is pip 

32. The word is seen 

33. The word is way 

34. The word is west 

35. The word is pace 

36. The word is bat 

37. The word is mop 

38. The word is big 

39. The word is tab 

40. The word is case 

41. The word is name 

42. The word is soil 

43. The word is fin 

44. The word is cuff 

45. The word is heal 

46. The word is hark 

47. The word is heat 

48. The word is then 

49. The word is law 

50. The word is bean

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date: 31 October 2007 Page 17 of 24 

List 8A 

1. The word is wick 

2. The word is neat 

3. The word is puck 

4. The word is took 

5. The word is rip 

6. The word is ray 

7. The word is sang 

8. The word is will 

9. The word is man 

10. The word is gale 

11. The word is safe 

12. The word is peas 

13. The word is kid 

14. The word is sass 

15. The word is sick 

16. The word is hold 

17. The word is but 

18. The word is lane 

19. The word is bun 

20. The word is just 

21. The word is pan 

22. The word is dig 

23. The word is bit 

24. The word is pin 

25. The word is tease 

26. The word is sent 

27. The word is sup 

28. The word is red 

29. The word is not 

30. The word is dung 

31. The word is pig 

32. The word is seem 

33. The word is day 

34. The word is rest 

35. The word is page 

36. The word is bash 

37. The word is shop 

38. The word is fig 

39. The word is tam 

40. The word is cane 

41. The word is same 

42. The word is toil 

43. The word is fill 

44. The word is cuss 

45. The word is feel 

46. The word is bark 

47. The word is heath 

48. The word is ten 

49. The word is thaw 

50. The word is bead

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 18 of 24 

List 9A 

1. The word is pick 

2. The word is meat 

3. The word is pub 

4. The word is look 

5. The word is sip 

6. The word is rake 

7. The word is fang 

8. The word is bill 

9. The word is mat 

10. The word is male 

11. The word is sane 

12. The word is peach 

13. The word is kill 

14. The word is sack 

15. The word is sill 

16. The word is cold 

17. The word is bug 

18. The word is lace 

19. The word is sun 

20. The word is gust 

21. The word is pass 

22. The word is dim 

23. The word is fit 

24. The word is fin 

25. The word is teach 

26. The word is went 

27. The word is sum 

28. The word is wed 

29. The word is hot 

30. The word is dud 

31. The word is pill 

32. The word is seethe 

33. The word is pay 

34. The word is vest 

35. The word is pace 

36. The word is back 

37. The word is top 

38. The word is rig 

39. The word is tap 

40. The word is cave 

41. The word is game 

42. The word is foil 

43. The word is fit 

44. The word is cup 

45. The word is eel 

46. The word is park 

47. The word is heap 

48. The word is pen 

49. The word is paw 

50. The word is beam

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 19 of 24 

List 10A 

1. The word is kick 

2. The word is feat 

3. The word is pup 

4. The word is book 

5. The word is lip 

6. The word is rate 

7. The word is bang 

8. The word is fill 

9. The word is mass 

10. The word is tale 

11. The word is sale 

12. The word is peak 

13. The word is king 

14. The word is sag 

15. The word is sip 

16. The word is told 

17. The word is bun 

18. The word is lake 

19. The word is gun 

20. The word is bust 

21. The word is pat 

22. The word is did 

23. The word is kit 

24. The word is tin 

25. The word is tear 

26. The word is bent 

27. The word is sun 

28. The word is shed 

29. The word is pot 

30. The word is duck 

31. The word is pin 

32. The word is seed

33. The word is gay 

34. The word is test 

35. The word is pave 

36. The word is bath 

37. The word is pop 

38. The word is pig 

39. The word is tan 

40. The word is cape 

41. The word is came 

42. The word is boil 

43. The word is fib

44. The word is cud 

45. The word is keel 

46. The word is lark 

47. The word is heave 

48. The word is den 

49. The word is saw 

50. The word is beat

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 20 of 24 

List 11A 

1. The word is tick 

2. The word is heat 

3. The word is pus 

4. The word is hook 

5. The word is dip 

6. The word is raze 

7. The word is gang 

8. The word is hill 

9. The word is mad 

10. The word is bale 

11. The word is save 

12. The word is peace 

13. The word is kin 

14. The word is sad 

15. The word is sit 

16. The word is fold 

17. The word is bus 

18. The word is late 

19. The word is run 

20. The word is rust 

21. The word is pack 

22. The word is dill 

23. The word is wit 

24. The word is din 

25. The word is teal 

26. The word is rent 

27. The word is sung 

28. The word is bed 

29. The word is lot 

30. The word is dug 

31. The word is pick 

32. The word is seek

33. The word is say 

34. The word is best 

35. The word is pay 

36. The word is ban 

37. The word is hop 

38. The word is dig 

39. The word is tang 

40. The word is cake 

41. The word is fame 

42. The word is coil 

43. The word is fig

44. The word is cut 

45. The word is peel 

46. The word is mark 

47. The word is heal 

48. The word is men 

49. The word is jaw 

50. The word is beach

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 21 of 24 

List 12A 

1. The word is sick 

2. The word is seat 

3. The word is pun 

4. The word is shook 

5. The word is hip 

6. The word is race 

7. The word is rang 

8. The word is kill 

9. The word is map 

10. The word is pale 

11. The word is sake 

12. The word is peat 

13. The word is kick 

14. The word is sap 

15. The word is sing 

16. The word is sold 

17. The word is buck 

18. The word is lame 

19. The word is fun 

20. The word is dust 

21. The word is path 

22. The word is dip 

23. The word is hit 

24. The word is sin 

25. The word is team 

26. The word is tent 

27. The word is sud 

28. The word is fed 

29. The word is got 

30. The word is dun 

31. The word is pit 

32. The word is seep

33. The word is may 

34. The word is nest 

35. The word is pane 

36. The word is bad 

37. The word is cop 

38. The word is wig 

39. The word is tack 

40. The word is came 

41. The word is tame 

42. The word is oil 

43. The word is fizz

44. The word is cub 

45. The word is reel 

46. The word is dark 

47. The word is hear 

48. The word is hen 

49. The word is raw 

50. The word is beak

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 22 of 24 

Section 8.2 

CBRN APR Communication Performance Test Listener Data Sheet

NIOSH Application Number Date: ______________ 

Respirator Manufacture: __________________________________________________ ; MRT/Sheet# _____________ 

Respirator Type: ____________________ ; Speakers Respirator Number, if worn _____________ (Indicate if unworn) 

Listener’s Respirator (circle one): Unworn Worn If Worn, Listeners Respirator Number _____________________ 

Listener #: Listening Position: Speaker #: MRT Word List#: 

1 but bug bus 14 map mat math 27 wed fed bed 40 cake came Cave

buff bun buck mad mass man led shed red cane case cape

2 kin kid kick 15 hop cop shop 28 sane sake safe 41 fang bang hang

king kit kill mop pop top save same sale sang gang rang

3 peak peach peas 16 sack sad sap 29 pit pin pig 42 law saw paw

peal peace peat sag sat sass pill pick pip jaw raw thaw

4 dig wig big 17 say pay may 30 heel peel keel 43 rake rate ray

fig pig rig gay way day feel eel reel raze race rave

5 fold sold gold 18 heath heave heap 31 toil boil foil 44 dip dim din

hold cold told heat heal hear coil oil soil dill did dig

6 kick lick sick 19 tame came fame 32 fig fizz fit 45 tear teal teak

tick wick pick same name game fib fin fill team tease teach

7 path pack pass 20 page pane pace 33 mark bark dark 46 tin fin sin

pat pad pan pave pale pay lark hark park win pin din

8 beat beak beach 21 dust gust must 34 bash bat ban 47 seethe seek seen

beam bean bead bust just rust back bath bad seed seep seem

9 pot hot lot 22 pun puff pup 35 will hill kill 48 run bun fun

not tot got pub pus puck bill fill till sun nun gun

10 fit hit bit 23 then den ten 36 pale sale bale 49 neat beat seat

sit kit wit pen hen men gale male tale meat feat heat

11 sup sub sud 24 cuss cud cup 37 duck dud dung 50 lip hip dip

sum sun sung cut cub cuff dun dug dub sip rip tip

12 dent tent rent 25 hook shook book 38 sit sip sill

went sent bent took cook look sick sin sing Score 

13 best west nest 26 late lake lay 39 tack tan tab

vest test rest lame lane lace tang tam tap

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 23 of 24 

Section 8.3 

CBRN APR Communication Performance Test Data Collection Sheet 

TN # : _________________ MRT Trial # : ________________ Speaker ID # : 

_____________ 

Word List # : _______ Please Circle: Masked Unmasked 

 

Number of words correctly spoken by the MRT Speaker: ___________ 

 

 

Listener #1 ID: _____________ 

 

1. % of Words Answered Correctly = _____________________ 

2. Adjusted Score = __________________________ 

Listener #2 ID: _____________ 

 

 

1. % of Words Answered Correctly = _____________________ 

2. Adjusted Score = __________________________ 

 

 

Listener #3 ID: _____________ 

 

1. % of Words Answered Correctly = _____________________ 

2. Adjusted Score = __________________________ 

Background Noise (w/o pink noise): ____________

Pink Noise Before Session: ____________ 

Pink Noise Middle of Session: ____________ 

Pink Noise After Session: _____________ 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. TEB-CBRN-APR-STP-0313A Revision: 1.0 Date:31 October 2007 Page 24 of 24 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

0 15 September 2004 Historic document 

1.1 22 December 2005 Update header and format 

No changes to method 

2.0 31 October 2007 Significant changes – Section 4.3 added to address required 

precision and accuracy of instrumentation; changes to Table 2; 

additional word lists, and deleted instructions specific to having the 

test performed by a third-party laboratory. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy