Audiometers are equipments used to identify hearing loss problems. In general these machines are encountered in specialized centers and audiology clinics. For the production of these equipments manufacturers have to meet the IEC60645, ISO 8253 and ANSI S3.6 requirements. Hearing testing equipment usually contains a hardware unit, a headset and a button that is used by the tested subject to provide feedback.
Manufacturers are producing now various types of audiometers, for every need. Screening types are in general portable, light weight and battery operating equipments. The diagnostic & clinical equipments can weigh a little more, but are offering a higher accuracy and PC compatibility. The PC types are more flexible and very practical, with an air, bone conduction and SISI test included.
Clinical audiometers are in general used in audiology centers, hospitals and research communities. In the last period these have been replaced with software audiometers, which are available with various configurations. With the use of a normal computer and a windows driver, these equipments can be easily used by anyone at home. Their main advantage is the accessible price, comparing with clinical types that are very expensive. One disadvantage can be considered the accuracy that is not the highest one, due to the lack of a calibration standard.
As it is very important that the measurements performed with audiometers are accurate, these have to be calibrated often. A regular calibration can help to identify hearing loss in early stages, and this is very important. The calibration procedure consists in making sure that the displayed level is identical with the subject's exact situation. No matter the clinic where the checking is performed, when machines are calibrated correctly, the results have to be all equal.
The calibration of these types of equipments is possible with the help of an audiometric calibration system. This system includes a microphone that will transmit information to a coupling volume, one side opened. Professional types are also measuring the bone conduction hearing, and for their calibration is used a mechanical coupler. This has the role to imitate the situation when the sound passes through the mastoid section of temporal bone.
Like any other machines, the parts of these equipments are liable to drift after a period of use. In order to assure a high level of accuracy, these hearing measurement equipments have to be calibrated in proper conditions. Only specialists have the ability to perform this sensitive procedure. It is also important that the measurements are made only in specialized laboratories.
Manufacturers are now producing audiometers with multiple features, very useful when these equipments are used at home. For example these are now available with color touch screen, and are coming with user-defined data fields. Multiple languages are also available, as well as high storage capacities to store, synchronize and back-up information.
Audiometers are useful instruments to be used to identify hearing problems in early stages. But specialists are recommending that a first check is performed in a specialized clinic. An accurate measurement can assure a correct diagnosis. Software audiometers can be used at home, to record the evolution of hearing problems.
Manufacturers are producing now various types of audiometers, for every need. Screening types are in general portable, light weight and battery operating equipments. The diagnostic & clinical equipments can weigh a little more, but are offering a higher accuracy and PC compatibility. The PC types are more flexible and very practical, with an air, bone conduction and SISI test included.
Clinical audiometers are in general used in audiology centers, hospitals and research communities. In the last period these have been replaced with software audiometers, which are available with various configurations. With the use of a normal computer and a windows driver, these equipments can be easily used by anyone at home. Their main advantage is the accessible price, comparing with clinical types that are very expensive. One disadvantage can be considered the accuracy that is not the highest one, due to the lack of a calibration standard.
As it is very important that the measurements performed with audiometers are accurate, these have to be calibrated often. A regular calibration can help to identify hearing loss in early stages, and this is very important. The calibration procedure consists in making sure that the displayed level is identical with the subject's exact situation. No matter the clinic where the checking is performed, when machines are calibrated correctly, the results have to be all equal.
The calibration of these types of equipments is possible with the help of an audiometric calibration system. This system includes a microphone that will transmit information to a coupling volume, one side opened. Professional types are also measuring the bone conduction hearing, and for their calibration is used a mechanical coupler. This has the role to imitate the situation when the sound passes through the mastoid section of temporal bone.
Like any other machines, the parts of these equipments are liable to drift after a period of use. In order to assure a high level of accuracy, these hearing measurement equipments have to be calibrated in proper conditions. Only specialists have the ability to perform this sensitive procedure. It is also important that the measurements are made only in specialized laboratories.
Manufacturers are now producing audiometers with multiple features, very useful when these equipments are used at home. For example these are now available with color touch screen, and are coming with user-defined data fields. Multiple languages are also available, as well as high storage capacities to store, synchronize and back-up information.
Audiometers are useful instruments to be used to identify hearing problems in early stages. But specialists are recommending that a first check is performed in a specialized clinic. An accurate measurement can assure a correct diagnosis. Software audiometers can be used at home, to record the evolution of hearing problems.
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