Pure Tone Audiometry London

Pure Tone Audiometry: How It Works

During the test, sounds of varying frequencies and intensities are presented to the patient’s ears (individually to the left and right). When the patient hears a sound, they press a button held in their hand. This test requires concentration and is conducted under specific conditions – in a soundproofed room designed for this purpose. Additionally, audiometric headphones are worn during the test.

The aim of the test is to determine the hearing range for both low and high-frequency sounds. When the patient presses the button at a specific level, the specialist reduces the volume of the tone until the patient can no longer hear it. This process determines the minimum sound level that the patient can perceive.

The entire test takes about 20 minutes, and the results are available immediately. Once the test is completed, the audiologist will analyze the audiometric findings.

Indications for Pure Tone Audiometry

This test is often sought by patients who have noticed a decline in their hearing ability or need the test for occupational health purposes (e.g., working in noisy environments). In addition, audiometry should be performed as part of routine health check-ups. It is recommended that adults undergo the test every 1-2 years.

Audiometry is especially recommended when:

• More than two years have passed since the last test.
• The patient has experienced middle/outer ear infections.
• The patient complains of dizziness.
• The patient notices a decline in hearing ability.
• The patient experiences difficulty concentrating.

After the test, the patient receives clear information about the condition of their hearing. For the test results to be reliable and for the procedure to be performed correctly, the patient must cooperate with the specialist and press the button only when they hear the sounds. For this reason, the test is not recommended for individuals with significant intellectual disabilities or children under the age of 7.

Hearing loss can cause speech development difficulties, so children are often referred for audiometry from speech therapy clinics. For patients aged 7 and above, determining the hearing threshold using pure tone audiometry is feasible. For younger children, alternative types of hearing tests are conducted.

Pure Tone Audiometry at Fast Medica

Although audiometry is not a complicated procedure, it requires appropriate knowledge, equipment, and clinic conditions. For this reason, the test can only be performed at a prepared clinic by a qualified professional. At Fast Medica, we provide optimal conditions for conducting pure tone audiometry.

After the test, the patient receives their results in the form of an audiogram. The graph illustrates the hearing threshold curve for the right and left ear. Based on this, our specialist can assess the patient’s hearing ability and recommend further steps.