Hearing might be something that many people take for granted, but it possesses a certain irony in that it becomes more noticeable as it is lost. Due to industrial developments and advanced sound production technology, hearing loss is more of an issue nowadays than it may once have been. Audiometers are essential in measuring and preventing hearing damage.
As people go about their daily lives, they undergo exposure to very loud noise, sometimes in their place of work and at other times during recreational activities. For example, modern industry produces substantial noise, while modern music amplification has a similar effect. In order to combat hearing loss, it is necessary to measure hearing, and this is what audio measuring devices are used for.
Audiometers all operate according to the same principle. The device produces a carefully controlled sound which is routed into the ears of the person being tested. The volume and frequency of the this sound are deliberately determined by the device, and the sound then becomes the yardstick by which the sensitivity of the person's hearing is measured. The volume of the sound is measured in decibels (dB) and the frequency (pitch) in Hertz (Hz). The louder a sound, the higher its decibel count, while frequency is an indication of pitch (high or low sounds).
The purpose of the test is to determine the sensitivity of the person's hearing. This is why the typical setup of an audiometer is a pair of headphones attached by wires to a machine or a computer. Once the person's sensitivity has been established, the necessary steps can be taken to rectify the person's hearing or to prevent further damage.
Of course, the audiometer needs to be adjusted so that the sounds it produces can be effectively controlled. This type of adjustment is called calibration, and it involves fine-tuning the machine so that the sounds it makes are genuinely pitched at the volume and frequency required. Calibration needs to be done on a regular basis for the machine to be reliably accurate.
Several factors make regular calibration necessary. The operating temperature of the machine, its age, rough handling and how often it is used all play a part in causing it to lose accuracy. This is similar to a musical instrument going out of tune. It is advisable to have an audiometer re-calibrated once a year.
There are essentially two types of audiometer. The first is known as the hardware type, and consists of a machine linked to headphones. The second is based on software, hence its name, and involves the use of a computer or other electronic device. Both types do the same thing. The main difference is that computer-based or software audiometers never need to be re-calibrated because they cannot lose accuracy. They can also be more refined in their degree of accuracy, since it is digital. However, they are harder to use due to variations in individual application (such as speaker volume and PC output).
In modern times, the level of noise in the everyday environment of the public is higher than it used to be. Audiometers have an important function in keeping this noise in check. They represent a key tool in the fight against hearing loss and aural damage.
As people go about their daily lives, they undergo exposure to very loud noise, sometimes in their place of work and at other times during recreational activities. For example, modern industry produces substantial noise, while modern music amplification has a similar effect. In order to combat hearing loss, it is necessary to measure hearing, and this is what audio measuring devices are used for.
Audiometers all operate according to the same principle. The device produces a carefully controlled sound which is routed into the ears of the person being tested. The volume and frequency of the this sound are deliberately determined by the device, and the sound then becomes the yardstick by which the sensitivity of the person's hearing is measured. The volume of the sound is measured in decibels (dB) and the frequency (pitch) in Hertz (Hz). The louder a sound, the higher its decibel count, while frequency is an indication of pitch (high or low sounds).
The purpose of the test is to determine the sensitivity of the person's hearing. This is why the typical setup of an audiometer is a pair of headphones attached by wires to a machine or a computer. Once the person's sensitivity has been established, the necessary steps can be taken to rectify the person's hearing or to prevent further damage.
Of course, the audiometer needs to be adjusted so that the sounds it produces can be effectively controlled. This type of adjustment is called calibration, and it involves fine-tuning the machine so that the sounds it makes are genuinely pitched at the volume and frequency required. Calibration needs to be done on a regular basis for the machine to be reliably accurate.
Several factors make regular calibration necessary. The operating temperature of the machine, its age, rough handling and how often it is used all play a part in causing it to lose accuracy. This is similar to a musical instrument going out of tune. It is advisable to have an audiometer re-calibrated once a year.
There are essentially two types of audiometer. The first is known as the hardware type, and consists of a machine linked to headphones. The second is based on software, hence its name, and involves the use of a computer or other electronic device. Both types do the same thing. The main difference is that computer-based or software audiometers never need to be re-calibrated because they cannot lose accuracy. They can also be more refined in their degree of accuracy, since it is digital. However, they are harder to use due to variations in individual application (such as speaker volume and PC output).
In modern times, the level of noise in the everyday environment of the public is higher than it used to be. Audiometers have an important function in keeping this noise in check. They represent a key tool in the fight against hearing loss and aural damage.
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