An audiometry exam tests a patient’s ability to hear sounds based on intensity and tone. The doctor manipulates the loudness of beeps by adjusting the beeps to various tones.
What is it?
An audiometry exam is a hearing test that evaluates an individual’s ability to hear based on his or her ability to distinguish between different frequencies, pitches, and sounds. Individuals typically undergo an audiometry exam to assess hearing or eardrum damage following trauma, to monitor pre and post-surgical hearing ability, or to evaluate if hearing aids will improve hearing.
What should I do to prepare?
There is no preparation necessary for this evaluation aside from scheduling a time to be assessed.
What happens during the process?
An audiometry exam assesses if an individual has conductive hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss. Several tests are performed during the exam. These can include a pure tone test, a word recognition test, and a tympanometry test. Earphones are worn during the duration of the exam. A pure tone test evaluates the lowest volume and frequency of sound an individual can distinguish by playing recorded beeps of varying decibels and hertz through the earphones. A word recognition test assesses one’s ability to distinguish speech from background noise. The tympanometry test allows for the detection of fluid build up or an eardrum perforation. This test is accomplished by fluctuating the air pressure within the ear canal.
What are the risks and potential complications?
This procedure is a painless, noninvasive evaluation that does not have significant risks or complications associated with it.
Disclaimer:
All GlobeHealer Site content, including graphics, images, logos, and text, among other materials on the site are for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always contact your physician or qualified health provider for information regarding your health. Information on this site regarding the overview, diagnosis, and treatment of any kind should be looked at, in addition to the advice and information of your health care professional. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment or medical advice due to information found on the GlobeHealer site.
If there is even the possibility that you may have a medical emergency, seek treatment, call your doctor, or call your local emergency telephone number immediately. GlobeHealer does not endorse being the first line of communication in case of emergency and does not endorse any specific test, physician, facility, product, procedure, opinion, or other information that is or may be mentioned on this site or affiliated entities. Reliance of any and all information provided by GlobeHealer, its employees, affiliations, others appearing on the Site under the invitation of GlobeHealer, or visitors of the site is solely at your own risk and is not the responsibility of GlobeHealer.