By Celia Hall


Hearing difficulties are often evaluated and diagnosed through the use of audiometers. The latter are sophisticated medical devices that are able to determine human hearing accuracy. General practitioners, as well as ear, nose and throat specialists frequently avail themselves of such devices to test for hearing abnormalities.

When used in hospitals or other healthcare facilities, the audiometer is usually calibrated to a universal standard. This assists audiologists to easily isolate a broad range of disorders and evaluate each patient's degree of hearing impairment. The device also makes it possible for a person's doctor or audiologist to arrive at a definitive diagnosis that would be virtually impossible without the use of the audiometer.

Ear specialists and doctors who treat ear, nose and throat problems use such instruments to run many different tests. The findings of such tests are later evaluated in order to fully determine the severity of each person's specific hearing problem. The audiometer provides precise calculations that are recorded on a graph, also called an audiogram.

The tool has the capability to play a vast array of sounds at numerous frequencies. Each one can feature various volumes and intensities as well. These sounds are played at a standardized level, after which the volume is continuously lowered until the individual undergoing the test can no longer distinguish any sounds.

Such testing is usually completed with the use of a headphone set, although this is not absolutely required. However, most medical practitioners prefer to perform such tests with headphones. The latter are believed to increase the accuracy of the test results, regardless of the condition for which the person is being evaluated.

An audiometer was initially created to operate as a solitary testing unit. However, digital models are now in existence as well, which some people claim are just as effective as individual machines. A digital unit must be used in conjunction with certain software applications, unlike their solitary unit counterparts.

In conventional healthcare facilities, audiometer machines are preferred over digital models in most instances. This is likely due to the fact that they are calibrated in a specific manner which is believed by those in the medical field to be more accurate than digital devices. They are also thought to give better results when they are used to test individuals for hearing aids.

Most schools in the developed world provide hearing tests for children. This kind of test is usually administered through the use of an audiometer when the child is in his or her first few years of schooling. If a hearing problem is detected, the student's parents can be informed that a potential issue may be present and the youngster can be taken to a doctor or audiologist for further evaluation and treatment.

Due to advancements in the world of medical technology, it is likely that the efficiency of audiometers will only get better over time. Tools of this kind are exceptionally useful for both audiologists and general doctors. Additionally, the advantages they provide will assist virtually all patients who suffer from hearing abnormalities.




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