hallásküszöbmérés

Hallásküszöbmérés, also known as audiometry or hearing threshold measurement, is a diagnostic process used to determine the softest sound an individual can hear at various frequencies. This objective measurement is crucial for assessing the extent and type of hearing loss.

The procedure typically involves presenting pure tones to the person in a sound-controlled environment, often an audiometric booth. The tones are presented at different frequencies, ranging from low bass sounds to high-pitched ones. The individual indicates whenever they hear a sound, and the audiologist or technician adjusts the intensity of the tone until the softest audible level, the hearing threshold, is identified for each frequency. This process is repeated for both ears separately.

The results are plotted on an audiogram, a graph that visually represents the hearing thresholds across different frequencies. This chart helps identify whether hearing loss is present, its severity (mild, moderate, severe, profound), and its configuration (e.g., flat, sloping). It also aids in distinguishing between conductive hearing loss (involving the outer or middle ear) and sensorineural hearing loss (involving the inner ear or auditory nerve), or a combination of both.

Hallásküszöbmérés is a fundamental tool in audiology, used for initial diagnosis, monitoring hearing health, fitting hearing aids, and assessing the effectiveness of hearing interventions. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure.