Audiometry

views updated May 21 2018

Audiometry

Definition

Audiometry is performed to test a person's ability to hear the sound frequencies necessary for speech. The test is carried out by a trained specialist called an audiologist with an instrument called an audiometer.

Purpose

Audiometry tests are used to identify and diagnose hearing problems. Audiometry is routinely performed within the framework of general health screening programs, for example in primary schools to detect hearing problems in children or in a work setting to test employees. It is also used at the doctor's office or in hospital audiology departments as a diagnostic tool to screen for hearing problems in children, adults, and the elderly. A complete audiometric evaluation consists of two main tests. First, the audiologist records the softest sound that a person can hear under earphones at several different frequencies. This is called testing via air conduction. Then a bone vibrator is placed behind the patient's ear to determine the softest level that the patient can hear when the inner ear is directly stimulated, thus bypassing the outer and middle ear. This is called testing via bone conduction. An ear test with an otoscope will be performed by a health care provider to evaluate the patient's ear canal and ensure a clear path to the ear drum. A device will then be inserted in the ear that will change the pressure, produce a pure tone, and measure the patient's response to the sound and different pressures. This test is called tympanometry. The proper diagnosis of a patient's specific pattern of hearing impairment allows the selection of the appropriate treatment, which may include hearing aids, corrective surgery, or speech therapy.

Precautions

Audiometry tests are performed with safe equipment and are simple and painless. They do not require any special precautions.

Description

Audiometry tests are carried out in a soundproof testing room equipped with audiometry equipment such as an audiometer, earphones, special headband, and a small listening booth for the audiologist. Audiometry equipment consists of devices emitting sounds or tones, like musical notes, at various frequencies, or pitches, and at various levels of loudness. In pure tone audiometry, pure tones, meaning tones that have a single frequency, are always channeled to each ear separately. For example, in a typical procedure, beginning with either ear of the patient, a 1kHz-tone is sent through the earphones. The volume of the tone is set to a level that can be easily heard by a person with normal hearing. The patient is instructed to press a button or activate a switch when the tone is heard. The duration of the test tone is usually kept constant at some 1.5 seconds. The volume is then decreased by 10dB-increments until the patient can no longer hear it. At the first level at which the tone becomes inaudible, the volume is increased in 5dB-increments until the patient responds to the tone. The audiologist may need to decrease and increase the loudness of the tone a few times to establish the patient's hearing threshold. By definition, this threshold is the loudness level at which a person responds to the tone 50% of the time. After the threshold for the 1 kHz-tone has been recorded by the audiologist, the entire procedure is repeated with a 1.5 kHz tone, and further increasing the tone's frequency to 2, 3, 4, and 8 kHz. After the high-frequency range has been tested, the same procedure is performed for the lower frequencies, starting again with a 1kHz-tone, but decreasing to 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 kHz. The test results are plotted by the audiologist, and they show hearing loss as a function of frequency. Such a plot is called an audiogram and it usually shows the low frequencies or tones at one end and the high frequencies at the other end. A typical audiogram also reports results for both the left and right ears, since it is not unusual for levels of sensitivity to sound to differ from one ear to the other. The audiogram also plots the volume of the tones used for the test: from soft, quiet sounds at the top of the plot to loud sounds at the bottom. Hearing is measured in decibels, the unit of a logarithmic scale of sound intensity. Most of the sounds associated with normal speech patterns are usually found in the range of 20-50 decibels. An adult with normal hearing can detect tones between 0-20 decibels. Other tests that may have been performed with the pure-tone audiometry are also reported on the audiogram.

Another audiometry procedure is performed with a headband rather than earphones. The headband is fitted with small plastic rectangles that are placed behind the ears so as to channel the tones through the bones of the skull. The patient feels the vibrations of the tones as they are transmitted through the bones to the inner ear. As with the earphones, the tones are repeated at various frequencies and volumes.

Speech audiometry is another type of hearing test that uses a series of simple recorded words spoken at various volumes directly into earphones worn by the patient. The patient repeats the words heard to the audiologist as they are being heard. An adult with normal hearing will be able to recognize and repeat at least 90-100% of the words.

Speech reception threshold testing (SRT) is used to determine the lowest volume or intensity when speech can be understood and is reported in decibels (dB).

Preparation

The ears are first examined with an otoscope before audiometry testing to determine if there are any blockages in the ear canal. If excessive wax is present, the patient is sent to a doctor for removal of the wax.

Results

A person with normal hearing should be able to recognize and respond to all of the tone frequencies and the different volumes used during the audiometry test in both ears. Normal hearing detects a range of low and high-pitched sounds between 0-20 decibels, and normal speech is generally spoken in the range of 20-50 decibels.

Audiometry test results are considered abnormal if there is a significant variation between the levels of sound recognized by the two ears, or if the patient is unable to hear within the normal range for test frequencies. Failure to pick out any tone of 20 dB or louder indicates a degree of hearing loss. The pattern of responses displayed on the audiogram are used by the audiologist to determine if a significant hearing loss has occurred and if the patient might benefit from further testing for differential diagnosis, hearing aids, or corrective surgery. An unexplained difference between the two ears in the tone test or the speech test may warrant another test, called an auditory brain stem response (ABR) to look for a possible acoustic tumor. Or, a difference in hearing between the two ears may be explained by case history information, such as noise exposure.

Health care team roles

Audiometry is performed by an audiologist. Any hearing problems found may be investigated by physicians and treated by physicians or speech-language pathologists, depending on the nature of the problem. If necesssary, imaging studies, such as a CT scan, will be ordered by physicians and performed by radiologic techologists.

KEY TERMS

Audiogram— A chart or graph of the results of a hearing test conducted with audiographic equipment. An audiogram typically shows hearing loss as a function of frequency, as measured by an audiometer. The chart reflects the softest (lowest volume) sounds that can be heard at various frequencies or pitches.

Audiologist— A specialist trained in detecting hearing loss.

Audiometer— An instrument for measuring hearing sensitivity.

Audiometry— The measurement of hearing ability, usually with the an audiometer.

Deafness— The complete inability to hear, often present at birth.

Decibel— A unit of measure for expressing the loudness of a sound. Normal speech is typically spoken in the range of about 20-50 decibels.

Frequency— The rate of repetition of the cycles of a periodic quantity, such as a sound wave.

Hearing loss Decreased auditory perceptive ability. Hearing loss is always acquired.

Intensity level— The measurement of the intensity of a sound in comparison to another sound or to a fixed level, expressed in decibels.

Otology— The branch of medicine concerned with the ear.

Otoscope— A hand-held instrument with a tiny light and a funnel-shaped attachment called an ear speculum, which is used to examine the ear canal and eardrum.

Pitch— The subjective impression of the frequency of a tone. Pitch is thus a psychoacoustic variable, and people have variable degrees of sensitivity to it.

Pure tone— A tone having a single pitch, or frequency, such as a flute note. It is also called a pure tone.

Sound— Any vibration in the air liable to cause a sensation of hearing.

Sound wave— Alternations of sound pressure displacement following one another in cycles of compression through a medium such as air. On striking the ear, sound waves are heard as sound.

Threshold of hearing— The intensity level at which a sound becomes barely audible. For a continuous tone of between 2000 and 4000 Hertz, heard by a person with normal hearing, this is 0.0002 dyne/cm2 sound pressure and is given the reference level of 0 dB.

Tone— A single sound of definite, recognizable pitch.

Tympanometry— A test where air pressure in the ear canal is varied to test the condition and movement of the ear drum. This test is useful in detecting disorders of the middle ear.

Resources

BOOKS

Goldstein, R. and W. M. Aldrich. Evoked Potential Audiometry: Fundamentals and Applications. New York: Allyn and Bacon, 1998.

"Pure-Tone Audiometry." In The Yale University Patient's Guide to Medical Tests, edited by Barry L Zaret, et al. Boston, MA and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, pp.420-422.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Audiology. 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. (703) 610-9022. 〈http://audiology.org〉.

Audiology Awareness Campaign. 3008 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205. (800) 445-8629.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. (800)638-8255. 〈http://www.asha.org/〉.

OTHER

"How to Read Your Hearing Test." Hearing Alliance of America, 1999. 〈http://www.earinfo.com〉.

"Tympanometry." Health Central on Sympatico, 2001. 〈http://healthcentralsympatico.com/mhc/top/03390.cfm〉.

Understanding Your Audiogram: A brochure from the League for the Hard of Hearing, 71 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010-4162. (212) 741-7650. 〈http://www.lhh.org〉.

Audiometry

views updated May 21 2018

Audiometry

Definition

Audiometry encompasses those procedures used to measure hearing thresholds.

Purpose

The purpose of audiometry is to establish an individual's range of hearing. It is most often performed when hearing loss is suspected. Audiometry can establish the extent as well as the type of a hearing loss. Audiometric techniques are also used when an individual has vertigo or dizziness , since many hearing and vestibular or balance problems are related. Since those with facial paralysis may also have hearing loss, audiologic testing may be performed on these individuals as well.

Description

The primary purpose of audiometry is to determine the frequency and intensity at which sounds can be heard. Humans can hear sounds in the frequency or pitch range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz (Hz), but most conversations occur between 300 and 3000 Hz. Audiometric testing is done between 125 and 8000 Hz. The intensity levels or degree of loudness at which sounds can be heard for most adults is between 0 and 20 decibels (dB).

Both air conduction and bone conduction of sounds are evaluated by audiometry. Air conduction establishes the extent of sound transmission through the bones of the middle ear. The results of a bone conduction test determine how soft a sound an individual can hear over several frequencies or pitches. Bone conduction audiometry determines the extent to which there is neurosensory hearing loss. An individual with a neurosensory loss may be able to hear sounds but not understand them. Since those with hearing losses often cannot hear sounds at normal decibel levels, intensities as high as 115 dB are used to assess the extent of air conduction loss and as high as 70 dB for bone conduction loss. The difference between bone conduction loss and neurosensory hearing loss is called the air-bone gap.

The most common method of assessing hearing ability is with the audiometer. Audiometric testing with the audiometer is performed while the patient sits in a soundproof booth and the examiner outside the booth communicates to the patient with a microphone. The patient wears headphones when air conduction is tested and a vibrating earpiece behind the ear next to the mastoid bone or along the forehead when bone conduction is tested. One ear is tested at a time, and a technique called masking, in which noise is presented to the ear not being tested, assures the examiner that only one ear is tested at a time. Through the headphones or earpiece pure sounds in both frequency and intensity are transmitted to the patient and the threshold at which the patient can hear for each frequency is established. The patient signals an ability to hear a sound by raising a hand or finger.

When the child is capable of understanding and responding to words, speech discrimination is also assessed as part of audiometry. Speech discrimination establishes one's ability to understand consonant sounds. In speech discrimination testing, two syllable words are read to and then repeated by the patient. This is an important part of audiometry, since much of a child's learning depends on the ability to discriminate speech. Older children of ten to 12 years of age have speech recognition comparable to adults and do well with speech discrimination testing. To insure that speech discrimination only is being assessed, this part of the hearing test is done at decibel levels of 30 to 40 decibels, higher than that of everyday conversation. By age five most children can do some type of speech discrimination testing.

Speech discrimination in the child of three to six years of age may be tested by having the child look at pictures of common objects as a monosyllabic word is read to him or her. The child indicates comprehension of the word by pointing to the corresponding object.

When evaluating infants, rather than testing of threshold levels, the examiner establishes the minimum response level at which the child responds to auditory stimuli. The minimum intensity level at which a neonate responds to sound is 25 dBs. This minimum level gradually decreases through infancy and at 36 months most children respond to sound intensities of less than 10 dBs.

For the young infant under four months of age, audiologists employ behavioral observation audiometry (BOA). The audiologist observes startle responses and motor reflex changes in the child as various noisemakers are employed to elicit these responses. The difficulty with this test is that the noises used are not standardized in frequency or intensity.

Visual reinforcement audiology (VRA) testing evaluates the hearing of infants from six months to two years. Sounds of varying intensity are presented to one of two speakers as the child sits on a parent's lap. If a sound is heard by the child, then he or she turns toward the appropriate speaker and is rewarded by a visual stimulus, such as an animated toy or a flashing light, although video images have been used for older children.

As the child gets older, condition play audiometry (CPA) is useful. The child is instructed to listen for a sound and to respond when a sound is heard by doing varying tasks, such as placing a ball in a cup or placing a peg in a pegboard, when the auditory stimulus is heard. Headphones may be worn by the child for this type of testing.

Because a reliable subjective response is difficult or impossible in a young patient electrophysiological testing is often performed. Electrophysiological testing is a reliable and nonbehavioral method to assess hearing loss in infants and young children and can be done while the child is either sleeping or under sedation. Some electrophysiological tests are the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test, auditory steady-state response (ASSR) testing, electroencephalic audiometry (EEG) test, and otoacoustic emission testing (OAE).

To perform the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test, headphones are placed on the infant or child and electrophysiological responses from the scalp and ears are recorded in response to tones sent through the headphones. A computer compiles the findings into a waveform that gives the examiner information about the location of a hearing problem anywhere along this pathway from the ear canal to the brainstem. This test is also called the brainstem auditory evoked response.

Auditory steady-state response (ASSR) testing also involves monitoring recorded responses from the scalp of tones at varying frequencies. This test is a more sensitive test than the ABR and can also measure residual hearing better. The EEG or electroencephalic audiometry test measures tone loss but cannot locate the site of a hearing loss. Otoacoustic emission testing (OAE) records spontaneous emissions from the ear and can detect middle ear problems. It is simpler than ABR, and it can be used to screen infants for severe hearing losses, since if hearing loss of greater than 40 dBs exist, no emission will be recorded.

An adjunct test of audiometry is acoustic immitance testing which assesses the facility with which sound can travel from the external ear to the cochlea inside the ear. The most familiar of this type of testing is the tympanogram, which determines if fluid has built up behind the eardrum.

Precautions

Audiometry is a safe procedure to which there are rarely contraindications.

Preparation

For most audiometric testing no special preparation is required, although the first time that hearing testing is done on a child the procedure should be explained as clearly as possible. If ABR or ASSR testing is done under sedation, then the child may not eat for several hours prior to administration of the drugs.

Aftercare

Audiometric testing, except when sedation is involved, requires no special aftercare.

Risks

If the ABR is used under sedation then the side effects of sedatives must be considered. Otherwise there are no risks associated with audiometry.

KEY TERMS

Audiologist A person with a degree and/or certification in the areas of identification and measurement of hearing impairments and rehabilitation of those with hearing problems.

Cochlear implantation A surgical procedure in which a small electronic device is placed under the skin behind the ear and is attached to a wire that stimulates the inner ear, allowing people who have hearing loss to hear useful sounds.

Decibel A unit of the intensity of sound or a measure of loudness. Normal speech is typically spoken in the range of about 2050 decibels.

Frequency Sound, whether traveling through air or the human body, produces vibrationsmolecules bouncing into each otheras the sound wave travels along. The frequency of a sound is the number of vibrations per second. Within the audible range, frequency means pitchthe higher the frequency, the higher a sound's pitch.

Parental concerns

Audiometry should be performed on all infants and children since unidentified hearing loss can delay speech and language skills. The earlier that a child with a hearing problem can be identified, the sooner the child's communication skills will develop. The audiometry available as of 2004 can determine the type and extent of a hearing loss as well as identify the location of the hearing problem. The results of audiometric testing can help determine if a hearing aid or cochlear implant may help a child. Audiometric testing can also be an adjunct to diagnosis of more serious problems related to hearing loss such a related syndrome or a tumor.

Parents of a child diagnosed with a hearing loss must be prepared to bring the child back for follow-up evaluations to monitor the hearing loss every three months for the first year after diagnosis and at least annually through the remainder of childhood. As the child gets older, more extensive audiometry testing can be performed.

Resources

BOOKS

Beasley, Donald J., and Ronald G. Amedee. "Hearing Loss." In Expert Guide to Otolaryngology, edited by Karen H. Calhoun. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians, 2001.

Miller, Andre J., and Gernard J. Gianoli. "Dizziness." In Expert Guide to Otolaryngology, edited by Karen H. Calhoun. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians, 2001.

Turkington, Carol, and Allen E. Sussman. Deafness and Hearing Disorders, 2nd ed. New York: Facts On File, 2004.

PERIODICALS

Firszt, Jill B., et al. "Auditory Sensitivity in Children Using the Auditory Steady-State Response." Archives of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery 130 (May 2004): 53640.

Schmida, Milton J., et al. "Visual Reinforcement Audiometry Using Digital Video Disc and Conventional Reinforcers." American Journal of Audiology 12, no. 1 (June 2003): 3540

Martha Reilly, OD

Audiometry

views updated May 18 2018

Audiometry

Definition

Audiometry is the testing of a person's ability to hear various sound frequencies. The test is performed with the use of electronic equipment called an audiometer. This testing is usually administered by a trained technician called an audiologist.

Purpose

Audiometry testing is used to identify and diagnose hearing loss. The equipment is used in health screening programs, for example in grade schools, to detect hearing problems in children. It is also used in the doctor's office or hospital audiology department to diagnose hearing problems in children, adults, and the elderly. With correct diagnosis of a person's specific pattern of hearing impairment, the right type of therapy, which might include hearing aids, corrective surgery, or speech therapy, can be prescribed.

Precautions

Testing with audiometry equipment is simple and painless. No special precautions are required.

Description

A trained audiologist (a specialist in detecting hearing loss ) uses an audiometer to conduct audiometry testing. This equipment emits sounds or tones, like musical notes, at various frequencies, or pitches, and at differing volumes or levels of loudness. Testing is usually done in a soundproof testing room.

The person being tested wears a set of headphones that blocks out other distracting sounds and delivers a test tone to one ear at a time. At the sound of a tone, the patient holds up a hand or finger to indicate that the sound is detected. The audiologist lowers the volume and repeats the sound until the patient can no longer detect it. This process is repeated over a wide range of tones or frequencies from very deep, low sounds, like the lowest note played on a tuba, to very high sounds, like the pinging of a triangle. Each ear is tested separately. It is not unusual for levels of sensitivity to sound to differ from one ear to the other.

A second type of audiometry testing uses a headband rather than headphones. The headband is worn with small plastic rectangles that fit behind the ears to conduct sound through the bones of the skull. The patient being tested senses the tones that are transmitted as vibrations through the bones to the inner ear. As with the headphones, the tones are repeated at various frequencies and volumes.

The results of the audiometry test may be recorded on a grid or graph called an audiogram. This graph is generally set up with low frequencies or tones at one end and high ones at the other end, much like a piano keyboard. Low notes are graphed on the left and high notes on the right. The graph also charts the volume of the tones used; from soft, quiet sounds at the top of the chart to loud sounds at the bottom. Hearing is measured in units called decibels. Most of the sounds associated with normal speech patterns are generally spoken in the range of 20-50 decibels. An adult with normal hearing can detect tones between 0-20 decibels.

Speech audiometry is another type of testing that uses a series of simple recorded words spoken at various volumes into headphones worn by the patient being tested. The patient repeats each word back to the audiologist as it is heard. An adult with normal hearing will be able to recognize and repeat 90-100% of the words.

Preparation

The ears may be examined with an otoscope prior to audiometry testing to determine if there are any blockages in the ear canal due to ear wax or other material.

Normal results

A person with normal hearing will be able to recognize and respond to all of the tone frequencies administered at various volumes in both ears by the audiometry test. An adult with normal hearing can detect a range of low and high pitched sounds that are played as softly as between nearly 0-20 decibels. Normal speech is generally spoken in the range of 20-50 decibels.

Abnormal results

Audiometry test results are considered abnormal if there is a significant or unexplained difference between the levels of sound heard between the two ears, or if the person being tested is unable to hear in the normal range of frequencies and volume. The pattern of responses displayed on the audiogram can be used by the audiologist to identify if a significant hearing loss is present and if the patient might benefit from hearing aids or corrective surgery.

Resources

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Audiology. 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. (703) 610-9022. http://audiology.org.

Audiology Awareness Campaign. 3008 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205. (800) 445-8629.

OTHER

"How to Read Your Hearing Test." Hearing Alliance of America. http://www.earinfo.com.

"Understanding Your Audiogram." The League for the Hard of Hearing. http://www.lhh.org.

KEY TERMS

Audiogram A chart or graph of the results of a hearing test conducted with audiographic equipment. The chart reflects the softest (lowest volume) sounds that can be heard at various frequencies or pitches.

Decibel A unit of measure for expressing the loudness of a sound. Normal speech is typically spoken in the range of about 20-50 decibels.

Otoscope A hand-held instrument with a tiny light and a funnel-shaped attachment called an ear speculum, which is used to examine the ear canal and eardrum.

Audiometry

views updated Jun 11 2018

Audiometry

Definition

Audiometry is the testing of a person's ability to hear various sound frequencies. The test is performed with the use of electronic equipment called an audiometer. This testing is usually administered by a trained technician called an audiologist.

Purpose

Audiometry testing is used to identify and diagnose hearing loss. The equipment is used in health screening programs, for example in grade schools, to detect hearing problems in children. It is also used in the doctor's office or hospital audiology department to diagnose hearing problems in children, adults, and the elderly. With correct diagnosis of a person's specific pattern of hearing impairment, the right type of therapy, which might include hearing aids, corrective surgery, or speech therapy, can be prescribed.

Precautions

Testing with audiometry equipment is simple and painless. No special precautions are required.

Description

A trained audiologist (a specialist in detecting hearing loss) uses an audiometer to conduct audiometry testing. This equipment emits sounds or tones, like musical notes, at various frequencies, or pitches, and at differing volumes or levels of loudness. Testing is usually done in a soundproof testing room.

The person being tested wears a set of headphones that blocks out other distracting sounds and delivers a test tone to one ear at a time. At the sound of a tone, the patient holds up a hand or finger to indicate that the sound is detected. The audiologist lowers the volume and repeats the sound until the patient can no longer detect it. This process is repeated over a wide range of tones or frequencies from very deep, low sounds, like the lowest note played on a tuba, to very high sounds, like the pinging of a triangle. Each ear is tested separately. It is not unusual for levels of sensitivity to sound to differ from one ear to the other.

A second type of audiometry testing uses a headband rather than headphones. The headband is worn with small plastic rectangles that fit behind the ears to conduct sound through the bones of the skull. The patient being tested senses the tones that are transmitted as vibrations through the bones to the inner ear. As with the headphones, the tones are repeated at various frequencies and volumes.

The results of the audiometry test may be recorded on a grid or graph called an audiogram. This graph is generally set up with low frequencies or tones at one end and high ones at the other end, much like a piano keyboard. Low notes are graphed on the left and high notes on the right. The graph also charts the volume of the tones used; from soft, quiet sounds at the top of the chart to loud sounds at the bottom. Hearing is measured in units called decibels. Most of the sounds associated with normal speech patterns are generally spoken in the range of 20–50 decibels. An adult with normal hearing can detect tones between 0-20 decibels.

KEY TERMS

Audiogram —A chart or graph of the results of a hearing test conducted with audiographic equipment. The chart reflects the softest (lowest volume) sounds that can be heard at various frequencies or pitches.

Decibel —A unit of measure for expressing the loudness of a sound. Normal speech is typically spoken in the range of about 20-50 decibels.

Otoscope —A hand-held instrument with a tiny light and a funnel-shaped attachment called an ear speculum, which is used to examine the ear canal and eardrum.

Speech audiometry is another type of testing that uses a series of simple recorded words spoken at various volumes into headphones worn by the patient being tested. The patient repeats each word back to the audiologist as it is heard. An adult with normal hearing will be able to recognize and repeat 90–100% of the words.

Preparation

The ears may be examined with an otoscope prior to audiometry testing to determine if there are any blockages in the ear canal due to ear wax or other material.

Results

A person with normal hearing will be able to recognize and respond to all of the tone frequencies administered at various volumes in both ears by the audiometry test. An adult with normal hearing can detect a range of low and high pitched sounds that are played as softly as between nearly 0–20 decibels. Normal speech is generally spoken in the range of 20–50 decibels.

Audiometry test results are considered abnormal if there is a significant or unexplained difference between the levels of sound heard between the two ears, or if the person being tested is unable to hear in the normal range of frequencies and volume. The pattern of responses displayed on the audiogram can be used

by the audiologist to identify if a significant hearing loss is present and if the patient might benefit from hearing aids or corrective surgery.

Resources

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Audiology. 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102. (703) 610-9022. http://audiology.org.

Audiology Awareness Campaign. 3008 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205. (800) 445-8629.

OTHER

“How to Read Your Hearing Test.” Hearing Alliance of America. http://www.earinfo.com.

“Understanding Your Audiogram.” The League for the Hard of Hearing. http://www.lhh.org.

Altha Roberts Edgren

Audiometer

views updated May 23 2018

Audiometer

An audiometer is an instrument used to measure how well a person hears. The ear is a complex organ. It receives sound in the form of vibrations that strike the eardrum. These vibrations move from the eardrum through the bones of the middle ear to the cochlea (a spiral-shaped organ filled with fluid). The vibration sets the fluid in motion and sensory cells along the cochlea's basilar (at the bottom or base of) membrane (a thin covering through which things can pass) send messages of the sound to the brain.

The brain distinguishes many distinct sounds. Pitch music. Sounds of over 140 decibels, such as those made by a jet aircraft, can damage hearing.

The Audiometer Test

An audiometer consists of four parts. These parts are the oscillator (used to change the frequency of sounds heard), an audio amplifier, an attenuator (used to control volume loudness), and a pair of headphones. The person being tested wears the headphones. The amplitude of a tone is slowly increased until the person hears the sound. The lowest decibel level at which a sound is heard is called the threshold. The oscillator is used to change pitch so a range of sounds can be tested. When manufacturing audiometers and performing audiometer testing, care is taken to eliminate background noise.

The result of a hearing test using an audiometer is called an audiogram. The audiogram is a graph that shows the lowest decibel level at which each frequency is heard. The graph gives a profile of the person's threshold of hearing. It compares the profile to a line representing normal hearing in order to detect hearing loss. Using the audiometer, frequency is varied from 64 hertz to over 8,000 hertz. Amplitude can be varied in five decibel increments. In addition to pure tones, speech sounds are sometimes used as test signals. Hearing is considered good if every tone sounded between 64 and 8,192 hertz is heard at a volume of 20 decibels. Hearing loss is generally greatest at the high frequencies. This seems to occur in many people over fifty.

Békésy's Invention

The pure-tone audiometer was invented by Georg von Békésy (1899-1972; winner of the Nobel Prize), a Hungarian-American physicist. His machine was a patient-operated instrument released in 1946. Békésy studied the transmission of sound for a Hungarian telephone company. The testing the telephone lines was routinely carried out and often done with pure tones (tones of one frequency). Bekesy listened to everything he heard over the telephone lineshe even listened to the clicks when phones were being connected and disconnected! He started using the clicks as test signals. The clicks themselves were a combination of many pure tones that came along the telephone lines in a single short pulse. Bekesy's early experiences helped him study hearing in great detail and arrive at his audiometer design.

audiometry

views updated Jun 11 2018

au·di·om·e·try / ˌôdēˈämitrē/ • n. measurement of the range and sensitivity of a person's sense of hearing.DERIVATIVES: au·di·om·e·ter / -itər/ n.au·di·o·met·ric / -əˈmetrik/ adj.

electrocochleography

views updated May 29 2018

electrocochleography (ECoG) (i-lek-troh-kok-li-og-răfi) n. a test to measure electrical activity produced within the cochlea in response to a sound stimulus. It is used in the diagnosis of Ménière's disease and other forms of sensorineural deafness.

audiometer

views updated May 11 2018

audiometer (awdi-om-it-er) n. an apparatus for testing hearing at different sound frequencies, so helping in the diagnosis of deafness.
audiometry n.

audiometer

views updated Jun 27 2018

audiometer An instrument that generates a sound of known frequency and intensity in order to measure an individual's hearing ability.

audiogram

views updated Jun 11 2018

audiogram (aw-di-oh-gram) n. the graphic record of a test of hearing carried out on an audiometer.