Pure Tone Audiometry: What Is It?

Pure Tone Audiometry is one of the most common hearing tests available today. It simply tests the ability to hear sounds, which is usually indicated by pushing a button or pressing something that is placed in your hand. The test begins with a louder noise, beep or whistle, and gradually works its way down until you hear just the tone itself. The quietest sounds that you pick up and acknowledge that you can hear are then registered and recorded and marked down on the audiogram.

How Is The Test Administered?

The sounds are played over a headset that is placed directly on the test subject’s ears and fitted snugly so that they rest gently on the ears. This method of measurement and delivery is commonly referred to as “air conduction”. The sounds travel from the headphones, through the air, into your ear canal, through the middle ear and finally arriving at the very sensitive inner ear (more commonly referred to as the cochlea). The sensitivity of the cochlea itself can be tested by a few different methods. One of those methods involves placing a small vibrating device on mastoid bone behind the ear itself and again measuring the softest sounds that the test subject can pick up. The difference in this method as compared to the previous is the middle ear is skipped in the process and is referred to as “bone conduction”. Once these tests have been administered, the results can be transferred onto an audiogram, which will assist you in finding out where the location of your hearing problem is. This allows you to potentially remedy the issue, or at least take steps to assist in restoring it.

What Is An Audiogram And What Purpose Does It Serve?

An audiogram is a way of representing a person’s hearing loss on a graph. The numbers at the very top of the audiogram graph range from 125 to 8000. These numbers represent the frequencies or different pitches in sound that are measured. Frequency is measured on the audiogram along the horizontal axis in Hertz (Hz) while loudness is measured in Decibels (Db) along the vertical axis. The range tested is usually between 250 and 8000 Hertz as this represents and contains the most speech occurrence. Air conduction levels are also marked on the chart, differing between the two ears with an X marking one ear, and an O marking the other ear. Bone conduction levels are also marked on the chart. The audiogram is essentially a “snapshot” of your hearing. It will allow the medical professional administering the exam to determine strengths and your weaknesses and if monitored regularly you will be able to stay ahead of the curve in order to notice changes in your hearing levels. Hearing tests that use audiograms (such as pure tone audiometry) will allow you to be proactive in working with a hearing professional on finding solutions to any problems that may occur.