The audiometer is a machine used by audiology centers and ENT specialists to measure hearing loss in patients. More often than not, it is a part of the audiometry test equipment used for administering various tests. Audiometers now available in the market come in both hardware and software form.
Audiometers built as a physical device emit audio tones at varying intensities. During the hearing loss evaluation test, the machine's output is fed to headphones and heard in each ear separately by the subject. A feedback button that can be pressed enables the subject to acknowledge each tone as they hear it.
Audiometers may be standalone machines or can be integrated with a computer that controls it and offers a full suite of software tools and functionality. These devices come in many different types and use varying technologies. For example, some are bone-conduction systems while others are air-conduction based. It may be handheld, portable or a full-fledged machine intended for use in a single location.
The software-based device generates the same tone that is heard and responded to subjects in pretty much the same way. The only difference is that the tones in this case are prerecorded sounds stored in the computer. The audio output from the computer's sound card is sent to the headphones.
The hardware audiometers that are used by hospitals, audiology centers and researchers are expensive, but incredibly accurate and reliable. It's important to make sure these machines are calibrated regularly so that the tone heard by the subject matches the level displayed on the machine. Calibration requirements also ensure standardized testing and results regardless of where the machine is being used.
Audiometry software is much more affordable by comparison, and can be used by anyone even at home. Calibration is not so easy for the software, which means there will be some accuracy loss. It's still quite useful for regular self-testing, and will let the subject know if any further checkups and medical treatment are needed.
The point of all this, whether it is a software or hardware-based system, is to find out exactly when the subject stops hearing the tone. This helps physicians diagnose hearing problems and provide treatment. It usually involves at least a bit of ear cleaning and perhaps some ear drops, if not a hearing aid or even surgery.
Another major application for audiometers is industrial audiometric testing. The actual process is pretty much the same as the one described above. One of the key differences is the fact that patients don't visit the clinic. Instead, a mobile lab with the required equipment and technicians comes to the industrial facility for testing the hearing levels of workers who are constantly exposed to noise.
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.
Audiometers built as a physical device emit audio tones at varying intensities. During the hearing loss evaluation test, the machine's output is fed to headphones and heard in each ear separately by the subject. A feedback button that can be pressed enables the subject to acknowledge each tone as they hear it.
Audiometers may be standalone machines or can be integrated with a computer that controls it and offers a full suite of software tools and functionality. These devices come in many different types and use varying technologies. For example, some are bone-conduction systems while others are air-conduction based. It may be handheld, portable or a full-fledged machine intended for use in a single location.
The software-based device generates the same tone that is heard and responded to subjects in pretty much the same way. The only difference is that the tones in this case are prerecorded sounds stored in the computer. The audio output from the computer's sound card is sent to the headphones.
The hardware audiometers that are used by hospitals, audiology centers and researchers are expensive, but incredibly accurate and reliable. It's important to make sure these machines are calibrated regularly so that the tone heard by the subject matches the level displayed on the machine. Calibration requirements also ensure standardized testing and results regardless of where the machine is being used.
Audiometry software is much more affordable by comparison, and can be used by anyone even at home. Calibration is not so easy for the software, which means there will be some accuracy loss. It's still quite useful for regular self-testing, and will let the subject know if any further checkups and medical treatment are needed.
The point of all this, whether it is a software or hardware-based system, is to find out exactly when the subject stops hearing the tone. This helps physicians diagnose hearing problems and provide treatment. It usually involves at least a bit of ear cleaning and perhaps some ear drops, if not a hearing aid or even surgery.
Another major application for audiometers is industrial audiometric testing. The actual process is pretty much the same as the one described above. One of the key differences is the fact that patients don't visit the clinic. Instead, a mobile lab with the required equipment and technicians comes to the industrial facility for testing the hearing levels of workers who are constantly exposed to noise.
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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