An audiometer is a machine used by ENT (ear, nose and throat) clinics and audiology centers to measure hearing loss. Audiometers are typically part of the equipment used during an audiometry test. There are both software and hardware-based audiometers available in the market.
The hardware-based version is a simple piece of equipment that generates a pure tone at varying intensities that can be controlled. The subject hears the tones in one ear at a time through headphones. Every time a tone is heard, the subject pushes a feedback button.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
Software-based audiometers produce the same tones, and subjects respond in exactly the same way. The main difference is that the software has a stored database of sounds. The tones are simply piped into the headphone through the system's sound card.
Hardware audiometers used by professional audiology centers, hospitals and research centers are more expensive, but also highly accurate and more reliable. These machines must be calibrated regularly to ensure that the intensity of the tone heard by subjects accurately reflects the level shown on the device display. Calibration also ensures standardized testing and consistent results no matter where the machine is used.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
Regardless of whether it is software or hardware, the aim here is to determine at what point the subject fails to hear the tone. Physicians use this device as a useful aid for diagnosing hearing problems and treating them. The suggested course of action may vary, but usually includes a thorough cleaning of the ears to remove obstructions, followed by ear drops and maybe even a hearing aid and/or surgery if the problem is more serious.
Audiometers may also be used for industrial audiometric testing. The procedure followed is essentially the same as described above. The difference is in the fact that the subject or patient doesn't come to the clinic. Instead, a full-fledged mobile audiometry testing lab and technician are brought to the industrial facility to test the hearing levels of noise-exposed workers.
The results obtained in these industrial tests are not simply meant to evaluate the hearing ability of workers from a health point of view. It is also used to find out whether the facility requires additional noise-muffling systems. Sometimes, these checkups are provided under group health plans. In any case, an audiometer used for industrial applications must be calibrated perfectly to within a small fraction of a decibel.
The hardware-based version is a simple piece of equipment that generates a pure tone at varying intensities that can be controlled. The subject hears the tones in one ear at a time through headphones. Every time a tone is heard, the subject pushes a feedback button.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
Software-based audiometers produce the same tones, and subjects respond in exactly the same way. The main difference is that the software has a stored database of sounds. The tones are simply piped into the headphone through the system's sound card.
Hardware audiometers used by professional audiology centers, hospitals and research centers are more expensive, but also highly accurate and more reliable. These machines must be calibrated regularly to ensure that the intensity of the tone heard by subjects accurately reflects the level shown on the device display. Calibration also ensures standardized testing and consistent results no matter where the machine is used.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
Regardless of whether it is software or hardware, the aim here is to determine at what point the subject fails to hear the tone. Physicians use this device as a useful aid for diagnosing hearing problems and treating them. The suggested course of action may vary, but usually includes a thorough cleaning of the ears to remove obstructions, followed by ear drops and maybe even a hearing aid and/or surgery if the problem is more serious.
Audiometers may also be used for industrial audiometric testing. The procedure followed is essentially the same as described above. The difference is in the fact that the subject or patient doesn't come to the clinic. Instead, a full-fledged mobile audiometry testing lab and technician are brought to the industrial facility to test the hearing levels of noise-exposed workers.
The results obtained in these industrial tests are not simply meant to evaluate the hearing ability of workers from a health point of view. It is also used to find out whether the facility requires additional noise-muffling systems. Sometimes, these checkups are provided under group health plans. In any case, an audiometer used for industrial applications must be calibrated perfectly to within a small fraction of a decibel.
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