Pure tone audiometry
Pure tone audiometry (pronunciation: pyoor tohn aw-dee-om-uh-tree) is a hearing test used to determine the hearing threshold for individuals across a range of frequencies. It is a key component in audiology and is used to diagnose hearing loss.
Etymology
The term "pure tone audiometry" is derived from the English words "pure", "tone", and "audiometry". "Pure" and "tone" refer to the type of sound used in the test, which is a single frequency without any harmonics. "Audiometry" comes from the Latin words "audio" meaning "I hear" and "metria" meaning "measurement", referring to the measurement of hearing.
Procedure
Pure tone audiometry involves the use of headphones or earphones through which a series of pure tone sounds are played. The individual undergoing the test indicates when they can hear the sound, and the softest sound they can hear is recorded as their hearing threshold. This is done for a range of frequencies, typically from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz.
Related Terms
- Audiogram: A graph that shows the results of a pure tone audiometry test.
- Audiologist: A healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing loss and balance disorders.
- Otoscope: A device used to look into the ears.
- Tympanometry: A test used to detect disorders of the middle ear.
- Speech audiometry: A test that measures the ability to hear and understand speech.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.