Audiogram - Pure Tone Audiometry
Pure tone audiometry is the classical standard test for determining hearing ability.
An audiogram is performed on older children and adults, but is unsuitable for infants and young children.
/Audiogram.gif)
This test requires that the patient be able to respond to sound by pressing on a button or by raising their hand. The test is performed in a soundproof room. The sound is transmitted to the patient by headphones and by bone conductor. Every time the patient responds to the sound, its volume is lowered until the lowest volume at which the patient hears is determined. This volume is then recorded on a chart; the same process is repeated for various frequencies. When the sound is presented by the bone conductor it enables the doctor to know which part of the ear is affected by the hearing loss.
The test is painless and is simple to perform.
With a normal hearing a normal audiogram result will be obtained. With hearing loss the audiogram will reflect the degree of hearing impairment at the various frequencies tested.
At Danica Hearing Centre this test is computerised to ensure a high degree of reliability and accuracy. The results are obtained within half an hour and are interpreted by the doctor.
Read more about speech audiometry.