Audiometry Test

Audiometry is a diagnostic test used to assess an individual's hearing ability. The test measures the person's hearing sensitivity across a range of frequencies and intensity levels. The primary purpose of audiometry is to identify any hearing loss, determine its type, and quantify its severity. This information is crucial for developing appropriate interventions or treatments.

Here's a basic overview of how an audiometry test is conducted:

1. Equipment:

   • Audiometer: This is the central device used in the test. It produces tones at different frequencies and intensities.
   • Headphones or Insert Earphones: These are worn by the person undergoing the test to deliver the sounds directly into the ears.

2. Test Procedure:

   • The individual is typically seated in a soundproof booth to minimize external noise interference.
   • Pure-tone audiometry involves the presentation of pure tones at various frequencies (measured in Hertz, Hz) and intensities (measured in decibels, dB).
   • The person responds whenever they hear a sound, usually by pressing a button, raising a hand, or giving another signal.

3. Pure-Tone Audiometry:

   • Pure-tone audiometry assesses the ability to hear pure tones across the frequency range typically important for speech understanding (usually from 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz).
   • The results are plotted on an audiogram, a graph that displays the individual's hearing thresholds at different frequencies.

Audiometry is a standard and effective tool in diagnosing hearing disorders, and it helps healthcare professionals tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of individuals with hearing impairments.