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Audiometry is a technique used by an audiologist (a professional in non-medical diagnosis and management of hearing and balance disorders) or an otolaryngologist (a physician who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat) to measure hearing. Audiometry is performed when hearing loss is suspected. Many health organizations recommend screening newborns for hearing loss, ideally before they leave the hospital, although the type of testing differs from adults. Pediatric screening should continue for school-aged children up to adolescence. The January 25, 2006, issue of JAMA includes an article about screening for hearing loss in the elderly.

PURE-TONE AUDIOMETRY

Pure-tone audiometry measures how well someone can hear sounds of a different pitch and volume. Pitch or frequency is measured in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz). Most speech sounds are in the 500- to 4000-Hz range. People with hearing loss usually have the most difficulty with high-frequency sounds and consonants, such as S, F, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Erin Brender, MD, Writer; Alison E. Burke, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor