What are audiometers used for?
A screening hearing test is used to determine if there are signs of a hearing loss, it will record a patient’s reaction to pure tones played. The results of the screening test will then allow the hearing health professional to determine if further examination or tests are required.
A diagnostic test is performed after a failed screening test. It is conducted to find out the extent of the hearing loss. A diagnostic audiometer is used by the audiologist to assess the hearing ability and provides a full evaluation of the patients hearing ability. It will measure how well the patient hears pure tones and understands speech. The test duration usually takes longer than a screening test.
What does an audiometer measure?
An audiometer is used to measure the hearing ability of a test subject's response to different sounds depending on different sound levels, as well as distinguishing speech with or without background noise at different sound levels. The aim is to diagnose whether hearing loss is present which may have been caused by disease or injury.
If a person has a sudden loss of hearing ability, a noticeable hearing loss in one or both ears, has a history of ear infections or has recently had surgery to the head, then it is recommended to see a medical professional for a hearing test to check their hearing health is ok. Results are usually displayed or printed on an audiogram.
A hearing test is usually carried out by a specifically trained medical professional like a doctor or nurse, an audiologist or a qualified occupational health professional. These professionals have an excellent understanding of the biology of the ear, the science of hearing and the knowledge to measure and diagnose a patient’s hearing ability. Learn more about what is involved in an audiometry test.