Audiometry - what is it? You will find the answer to this question in the materials of this article.
Audiometry What it is?
Audiometry is the process of researching hearing acuity, as well as determining the sensitivity of the hearing aid to sound waves of different frequencies. This word was formed from Latin and Greek, respectively: audio, that is, “hear”, and metron, that is, “measure”.
Who is checking?
Audiometry - what is it and how is it carried out? This study should only be conducted by an audiologist. Hearing is measured using an audiometer. Although sometimes this procedure can be carried out using tuning forks.
Auditory Objectives
Audiometry - what is it and why is it needed? With the help of such a measurement, both air and bone conduction can be investigated. After the procedure, the specialist receives the results in the form of an audiogram. On it, an otolaryngologist can easily diagnose various ear diseases. It should also be noted that regular and timely research allows you to completely identify the onset of hearing loss.
Types of Examination
Hearing audiometry is a research and diagnostic procedure that allows you to easily identify its severity. Currently, there are several types of audiometry, namely:
Consider each of the varieties in more detail.
Tonal audiometry
With such a study, a specialist studies the threshold of hearing sensitivity to sound waves that have a different frequency. The frequency range during the direct examination is approximately 125-8000 Hz. The main task of the audiologist is to determine the minimum level that the subject hears.
In addition, this study helps to identify the maximum threshold, which is the limit for an individual patient. Usually, with this value, a person feels significant discomfort.
How is tonal threshold audiometry performed? Such a study is carried out using an audiometer. Through special headphones, the patient receives a sound signal. At the same time, the patient's task is to press a small button in response to this stimulus (of course, provided that he hears it).
This hearing test can be done even in young children. However, in this case, the game form is used.
The result of a tonal study is an audiogram. It reflects all the information that allows you to find out at what frequencies and how much the person’s hearing is different from the norm.
Speech Hearing
Speech audiometry allows you to determine the individual sensitivity of the patient to sound waves. This method is considered the simplest and easiest. It is carried out with the help of a whisper or ordinary colloquial speech. However, it should be emphasized that the correct perception with this method depends not only on how the patient hears individual sounds, but also on his vocabulary, as well as the level of development.
As practice shows, coherent speech and whole sentences are perceived by subjects much better and faster than the usual enumeration of words. The data of speech audiometry can be significantly different from each other if it will be carried out using different material.
To achieve the most objective results, during such a study quite often use a unified set of words.
What is the auditory auditory hearing test used for? The presented method is often used by specialists to evaluate the effective operation of selected hearing aids.
Computer audiometry
This type of research is considered the most objective. To carry out such a procedure, the subject should not take an active part in it. The very method of studying hearing acuity is carried out automatically. In this regard, it is quite successfully used in relation to children, including newborns.
Indications for examination
As a rule, such an examination is prescribed to those people who constantly complain of poor hearing, as well as to patients who have:
- hearing impairment;
- periodic pain in the ear.
It should also be noted that parents must always monitor the development of hearing in their child, as well as regularly check it. For this, you need to sit next to your child and clap your hands. A child with normal hearing must necessarily respond to this. If the reaction did not follow, then it is advisable to contact the otolaryngologist.
Normal hearing
Now you know what audiometry is. The norm of this study is determined depending on its type. During a speech check, the patient, talking with the doctor, should perceive a whisper at a distance of about 6 meters. Normal hearing in tonal audiometry is determined by the nature of the lines of the audiogram. In this case, the difference between the thresholds of bone and air conduction should not exceed 10 decibels. If there is any pathology, then this value can reach even 40 decibels. With computer audiometry, all received data is recorded on the monitor screen. Using a special program, a specialist can easily determine whether his subject has any deviations or not.