Kuulokynnystä

Kuulokynnystä refers to the quietest sound level that a person can hear at a specific frequency. It is a fundamental measure in audiology and is used to assess hearing ability. Typically, kuulokynnystä is determined by presenting pure tones at various frequencies and intensities to an individual and asking them to indicate when they can detect the sound. The lowest intensity at which they can correctly identify the sound a certain percentage of the time (often 50%) is considered their threshold.

Hearing thresholds are usually plotted on an audiogram, a graph that shows hearing sensitivity across the range of human hearing, typically from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz. Normal hearing is generally defined as having kuulokynnystä within a certain range, often 0 to 20 decibels hearing level (dB HL). Deviations from this range can indicate hearing loss. The degree and type of hearing loss are determined by examining the patterns of kuulokynnystä across different frequencies. Factors such as age, exposure to loud noise, and medical conditions can affect kuulokynnystä. Regular audiometric testing is important for monitoring hearing health and identifying potential issues early.