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Monday, 14 October 2013

Information About An Audiometer Hearing Test

By Molly Morse


An audiometer is a piece of equipment used to evaluate hearing loss. This machine is mostly found in ear, nose and throat clinics. It is also a must have in audiology centers. Audiometers are made of a hardware unit that is linked to headphones. A button that the person being tested uses to give feedback is also included. A normal personal computer can sometimes be used to control this system. There are standards that govern the procedure as well as the requirements that the machine should meet.

There are different types of audiometers. Some can be operated by anyone at home who wants to test their hearing. Such devices are not very accurate and they are PC based. The type that is used in clinics is more expensive. However, they are more efficient and accurate. The calibration determines how accurate the machine is.

If you experience problems with your hearing you need to go for a test. An audiometer hearing test is very accurate and it helps doctors to know how severe your loss is. Doctors begin by giving you basic tests to evaluate whether your ears are working. Tuning forks are mostly used when getting started. If the initial screening indicates your problem is serious you can now take the audiometer test.

Audiologists are more specialized and they usually take patients through a series of tests. The first thing that the specialist will do is to ask you a couple of questions. This will help to determine the cause of your problem. Your work and medical history will also be evaluated to find any clues on what led to the hearing loss. After all the questions the test can now be carried out.

You need to wear a pair of headphones before getting started. Make sure that you place them over the ears properly. They should block all other sounds from the room. When you are ready you should start receiving sounds from the headphones. The sound will hit the ears one at a time. This is because the test should evaluate both ears individually. This way, specialists can determine whether you have a problem in one ear or both of them.

Sound is changed to different frequencies and levels. This is important to determine which levels you are able to hear and at which frequencies. You can use the feedback button to communicate with the audiologist. Alternatively, he or she may tell you to raise your hand up when you hear sounds. The tones change all the time.

When you do not hear sounds there is no cause to panic. This is normal because the specialist needs to figure out the lowest sound that you are able to hear. This test will determine the level of hearing loss you are experiencing. From the results doctors will know whether you need another thorough test. Take your time during the test and provide accurate information.

Whenever you have a hearing problem it is advisable to do an audiometer hearing test. This will determine how serious your problem is and the kind of treatment options you have. You may need to go for a more specialized screening to determine the treatment options that you will be comfortable with.




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