The audiometer is used by audiology centers and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists for measuring hearing loss. It is usually one of the methods performed as part of an audiometry test. Both hardware and software-based audiometers are now available from various providers.
The hardware version is a simple machine that produces pure tones at controlled intensities. During hearing loss evaluations, the machine's output is heard by the subject in one ear at a time through a pair of headphones. The subject has a feedback button that enables them to respond when they hear the tone.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
Software-based systems function in pretty much the same way, sending out a tone to the subject on a headphone and collecting feedback through a button. The difference is in the way the tone is generated. In this case, the software merely sends out stored tones to the computer's sound card.
Audiometers built as a physical machine are more expensive, but provide the high degree of accuracy that hospitals, researchers and audiology centers need. Regular calibration is still essential to ensure the tone heard and the level shown in the display match each other. Proper calibration is also necessary to ensure a global standard for testing and measurement of hearing levels.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
Regardless of whether it is software or hardware, the aim here is to determine at what point the subject fails to hear the tone. Physicians use this device as a useful aid for diagnosing hearing problems and treating them. The suggested course of action may vary, but usually includes a thorough cleaning of the ears to remove obstructions, followed by ear drops and maybe even a hearing aid and/or surgery if the problem is more serious.
Audiometers may also be used for industrial audiometric testing. The procedure followed is essentially the same as described above. The difference is in the fact that the subject or patient doesn't come to the clinic. Instead, a full-fledged mobile audiometry testing lab and technician are brought to the industrial facility to test the hearing levels of noise-exposed workers.
The results are not only used to evaluate hearing loss, but also to decide whether the facility needs to implement noise muffling mechanisms. Such regular on-site checkups may also be required in group health plans in order to protect workers from any further loss in their hearing ability. An audiometer used in such applications must be extremely accurate, calibrated to within fractions of a decibel.
The hardware version is a simple machine that produces pure tones at controlled intensities. During hearing loss evaluations, the machine's output is heard by the subject in one ear at a time through a pair of headphones. The subject has a feedback button that enables them to respond when they hear the tone.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
Software-based systems function in pretty much the same way, sending out a tone to the subject on a headphone and collecting feedback through a button. The difference is in the way the tone is generated. In this case, the software merely sends out stored tones to the computer's sound card.
Audiometers built as a physical machine are more expensive, but provide the high degree of accuracy that hospitals, researchers and audiology centers need. Regular calibration is still essential to ensure the tone heard and the level shown in the display match each other. Proper calibration is also necessary to ensure a global standard for testing and measurement of hearing levels.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
Regardless of whether it is software or hardware, the aim here is to determine at what point the subject fails to hear the tone. Physicians use this device as a useful aid for diagnosing hearing problems and treating them. The suggested course of action may vary, but usually includes a thorough cleaning of the ears to remove obstructions, followed by ear drops and maybe even a hearing aid and/or surgery if the problem is more serious.
Audiometers may also be used for industrial audiometric testing. The procedure followed is essentially the same as described above. The difference is in the fact that the subject or patient doesn't come to the clinic. Instead, a full-fledged mobile audiometry testing lab and technician are brought to the industrial facility to test the hearing levels of noise-exposed workers.
The results are not only used to evaluate hearing loss, but also to decide whether the facility needs to implement noise muffling mechanisms. Such regular on-site checkups may also be required in group health plans in order to protect workers from any further loss in their hearing ability. An audiometer used in such applications must be extremely accurate, calibrated to within fractions of a decibel.
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