1 Answer
Audiometry is a hearing test that measures a person’s ability to hear different sounds at varying pitches and volumes. It’s used to determine the type and degree of hearing loss a person may have.
How Audiometry Works:
During an audiometry test, a person is asked to wear headphones or earphones while in a soundproof room. The audiologist (the person conducting the test) then plays sounds through the headphones, usually starting with low pitches and working through to higher pitches. The sounds are played at different volumes, and the person being tested is asked to signal (like pressing a button) whenever they hear the sound.
The audiologist records the quietest sound the person can hear at each frequency. This helps create an "audiogram," a chart that shows the hearing thresholds for each ear, broken down by frequency (how high or low the sound is) and volume (how loud or quiet the sound is).
Types of Audiometry Tests:
Why Audiometry is Important:
Results:
The results of the audiometry test are plotted on an audiogram, which shows the threshold of hearing for each frequency. If a person’s threshold is higher than normal, it indicates hearing loss.
The audiogram also helps classify the type of hearing loss:
In simple terms, audiometry helps doctors or audiologists figure out how well you can hear and if there are any problems with your hearing.
How Audiometry Works:
During an audiometry test, a person is asked to wear headphones or earphones while in a soundproof room. The audiologist (the person conducting the test) then plays sounds through the headphones, usually starting with low pitches and working through to higher pitches. The sounds are played at different volumes, and the person being tested is asked to signal (like pressing a button) whenever they hear the sound.
The audiologist records the quietest sound the person can hear at each frequency. This helps create an "audiogram," a chart that shows the hearing thresholds for each ear, broken down by frequency (how high or low the sound is) and volume (how loud or quiet the sound is).
Types of Audiometry Tests:
- Pure Tone Audiometry: This test checks for hearing sensitivity at different pitches. The audiologist will play pure tones (like a beep) at various frequencies and volumes to see the softest sound a person can hear.
- Speech Audiometry: This tests how well a person can hear and understand speech at different volumes. The audiologist might ask the person to repeat words or sentences that are played at different sound levels.
- Impedance Audiometry (Tympanometry): This test looks at how well the eardrum and middle ear are working. It’s often used to identify middle ear issues, like fluid or ear infections.
Why Audiometry is Important:
- Diagnosing Hearing Loss: It helps identify if someone has hearing loss and the degree of it (mild, moderate, severe, or profound).
- Determining Treatment Options: If hearing loss is detected, it can guide the decision for treatment, such as hearing aids, surgery, or other interventions.
- Monitoring Hearing: Audiometry is used regularly for people who may be at risk of hearing damage (like those working in noisy environments) or those with medical conditions that affect hearing.
Results:
The results of the audiometry test are plotted on an audiogram, which shows the threshold of hearing for each frequency. If a person’s threshold is higher than normal, it indicates hearing loss.The audiogram also helps classify the type of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss (issues in the outer or middle ear).
- Sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways).
- Mixed hearing loss (a combination of both).
In simple terms, audiometry helps doctors or audiologists figure out how well you can hear and if there are any problems with your hearing.