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A Look Into The Features Of An Audiometer

By Tiffany Gill


An Audiometer is a special device which is used in evaluating hearing loss problems. Moreover, this device is used in in the general diagnosis of ENT problems. The instrument is uniquely calibrated to capture the exact data during hearing loss evaluation. The calibration is done in decibels as they are the standard units for measuring the intensity of sound. Calibration of this device needs to be done on regular basis. Doing this ensures that it gives error free results. Moreover, a good calibrated device will always give consistent results which can be trusted in analyzing hearing loss intensity of a patient.

The audiometer resembles a pair of headphones. It is connected to a computer which controls its operation. A special button, which gives feedback signals as received from the patient, is also embedded in the device. During operation, the response of a patient to different frequencies is displayed in the computer which is subsequently used to plot an audiogram. The audiogram is keenly analyzed to determine the range which a patient can react to different sound frequencies.

The audiogram is plotted with the intensity of sound as the y axis in decibel units and the frequency of sound in the x- axis in hertz. The measured reading of the patient will be noted down and used to plot such a graph. Usually, the specialist uses computer software to aid them in drawing a perfect graph. They feed the reading to the computer software which automatically plots the audiogram graph. An important frequency known as the fundamental is included in the data as it is being fed to software to ensure the resulting audiogram captures all the details of the patient.

There are two types of audiometers found in the market. These are the hardware and the software types. The two types are closely related though they vary in cost and efficiency. The software type is not very sophisticated. It is the one found in several homes as it is easier to use. It only requires a computer program to display its results.

On the other hand, the hardware type comes with an embedded unit which is inclusive of a feedback button and a pair of headphones. The button gives signals back to the embedded unit as received from the patient. The pair of headphones is used to shield the patient from external noises during test this data is then fed to a special PC to produce an audiogram. This audiometer is expensive when compared to the software type.

During hearing loss diagnosis, the audiometer presents a sound to a patient which is then subjected to different frequencies. The reaction of the patient to this sound will be displayed in the computer. The doctor will vary this sound continually until they are satisfied that a complete hearing loss analysis is conducted. They will then construct an audiogram based ion these readings. The graph will then be analyzed to determine the range of frequencies where the patient is reacting to the sound. A headphone is provided to the patient to shield them from external disturbances.

An adult person will show a reaction to certain frequencies by pressing a button which is usually embedded to the device. For small children, their reaction is normally different. Their response can be a head turn or by pressing a toy which is usually provided during the test.

Hearing loss problems are not suffered by human beings. Animals do also suffer from this problem. An audiometer is still the device veterinary doctors determining the hearing capabilities of animals. The animals are trained to respond to the sound through several practices like providing them with food, water e. T. C whenever they react to such audio frequencies.




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