The science of testing hearing.
Measurement of the sense of hearing. Originally it included only measures of pure-tone thresholds but now the hearing of different speech sounds and the processing of sound stimuli in the brain are also measured.
Process of measuring a patient’s hearing ability.
Measurement of hearing ability using specific tests. The hearing tests are performed with specialized equipment in a doctor’s office, in a freestanding facility, or in a hospital audiology department’s soundproof testing room. The purpose of the tests is to diagnose hearing problems, including hearing loss from any cause. The tests are painless, accurate, and take 30 to 45 minutes.
Audiometry refers to the process of measuring an individual’s sense of hearing. This term commonly denotes hearing tests conducted using specialized equipment that generates sounds at specific intensities (loudness) and frequencies (pitch). During these tests, the hearing ability in each ear is assessed across the complete range of sounds typically audible to humans. By systematically evaluating an individual’s responses to these sound stimuli, audiometry provides valuable insights into the person’s hearing thresholds and potential hearing impairments. This information helps healthcare professionals diagnose hearing conditions, develop appropriate treatment plans, and improve overall auditory well-being.