Tom Frank, Ph.D., CCC-A
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1975
Professor Emeritus
Contact Information
404H Ford Building
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-2006
FAX: (814) 863-3759
Courses Taught
CSD 101, Preventing Hearing Loss
CSD 230, Introduction to Audiology
CSD 433, Aural Rehabilitation
Research Interests
Classroom acoustics, noise-induced and hearing loss due to aging, understanding speech in noise, psychoacoustics, and objective methods of hearing testing.
Examples of Collaborative Projects
A Model Hearing Conservation Program for Coal Miners (Co-Principal Investigator with Christopher Bise, PI, Professor of Earth and Mineral Science). The purpose of this research was to work with a cooperating coal mine to develop a model hearing conservation program (MHCP) that could be universally used in the coal mining industry. The MHCP that was developed included all aspects required by law as well as several unique features including new technology and software for monitoring a miner’s noise exposure level and use of hearing protection devices. This five year project was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control.
Human Effects Assessment of the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) (Co-Principal Investigator with Nicholas Nicholas, PI, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Non-Lethal Defense Technologies). The purpose of this research was to: 1) establish safe operating guidelines for the LRAD, and 2) determine the effectiveness of presenting different types of sounds via the LRAD that interfere with communication, create an annoyance, and for crowd control and dispersal. This project was funded by M2 Technologies, Inc.
Recent Publications
Frank, T., Brungart, T.A., & Nicholas, N.C. (2007). Annoyance from and tolerance to sounds. Noise Control Engineering Journal, 55 (3), 357-366.
Frank, T. & Rosen, A.D. (2007). Basic Instrumentation and Calibration. Chp. 11 in Audiology Diagnosis, Roeser, R.J., Valente, M., & Hosford-Dunn, H. eds. Thieme Medical Publishers, New York, New York.