Puhdasäänitaustakoe

Puhdasäänitaustakoe, often translated as pure-tone audiometry or pure-tone hearing test, is a fundamental audiological assessment used to determine an individual's hearing thresholds for different frequencies. This non-invasive test measures the softest sound a person can hear at various pitches, ranging from low to high.

The procedure involves presenting pure tones, which are single frequencies, to the individual through either headphones or insert earphones. The patient is instructed to signal, typically by raising a hand or pressing a button, whenever they hear a sound. The audiologist or technician then systematically varies the intensity (loudness) of the tone to find the lowest level at which the sound is perceived at each specific frequency. This process is usually conducted in a sound-treated booth to minimize external noise interference, ensuring accurate results.

The results of a puhdasäänitaustakoe are plotted on an audiogram, a graph that illustrates hearing sensitivity. The horizontal axis represents frequency in Hertz (Hz), and the vertical axis represents intensity in decibels Hearing Level (dB HL). The resulting line, or audiogram configuration, indicates the degree and type of hearing loss, if any, present. This information is crucial for diagnosing hearing impairments, selecting appropriate hearing aids, and monitoring changes in hearing over time.