Information About Pure Tone Audiometry Interpretation

Submitted by Nic on October 16, 2012

A pure tone audiometry test can be referred to as a hearing test, which is conducted in order to determine what the hearing threshold of a particular individual is. Hence, in case a person suffers from hearing loss of any kind, an ear doctor will need to conduct a pure tone audiometry interpretation to determine the degree, the types as well as the configuration of the hearing loss that is experienced. The main objective of this pure tone audiometry interpretation is to provide the basis for the diagnosis as well as the managing of hearing problems. Health experts claim that the pure tone audiometry test is a subjective procedure, as it relies completely on the response of a patient, towards pure tone stimuli. This is probably why pure tone audiometry interpretation is a lot more accurate in case of adults, as compared to children. However, the test can be conducted on those children too, that are old enough to cooperate and follow the procedure properly. Another factor that should be taken into account in order to ensure more accurate pure tone audiometry interpretation is that the equipment used, the test environment as well as stimuli used should be calibrated with ISO standards, before the test is conducted. However, it is important to take into account that this test only measures the thresholds of hearing, instead of the other aspects, like sound localization.

Although there are other ways of identifying what the possible hearing loss problems could be, as well as the extent of the damage, there are a few advantages of using the pure tone audiometry tests. This is because the pure tone audiometry provides certain thresholds that are specific to hearing. It also uses frequency-specific pure tones, for specific responses, so that the configuration of the hearing problem can be identified. This is why most health care providers usually rely on the pure tone audiometry results to known if a person is suffering from hearing problems or not. Moreover, the pure tone audiometry translation can also help medical experts classify if the degree of the hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound. Doctors also rely on these results to determine what the best course of treatment may be.

It is strongly recommended that all patients take an appointment with their doctors and get further information and clarification on the entire pure tone audiometry interpretation auditory procedure, before they go through the actual test.

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