Pure Tone Audiometry: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Pure tone audiometry is also referred to as an ‘audiogram’ and a ‘hearing assessment’.

Pure tone audiometry is a method to test an individual’s hearing ability. The procedure is simple and is non-invasive and painless.

Sound frequencies of different tones are used to carry out this test and is passed from one ear canal to the other to measure the quality and effectiveness of the individual’s hearing abilities. This test helps in determining any and every kind of hearing issue faced by the individual on different levels.

The doctor uses an audiometer to measure the quality of sound heard by an individual. The frequency and the tone of the sound can be manually or automatically set to carry out the test. This audiometry test can also help determine if an individual requires to undergo a cochlear implant surgery, in extreme cases.

The unit of measuring sound intensity is done in decibels (dbl) and the tone of the sound is measured in Hertz (Hz).

This test is taken on a routinely basis or as a response to a recent loss of hearing, caused by exposure to loud noises, ruptured eardrums or any damage done to the ears.

Pure tone audiometry consists of a range of tests, depending on the adversity of the hearing loss incurred by the patient.

The first and foremost step would be to analyse the quietest sound heard at different pitches. The audiometer is used by the doctor who would play different tones and pitches and pass it through the ear of the patient to check the level of hearing.

There can also be a different kind of test where the audiologist or the doctor would ask the patient to differentiate speech from background noise. The audiologist would then play a sound sample and ask the patient to repeat the speech he or she hears, to determine the quality of hearing.

The audiologist can also use a tuning fork, by putting it behind the patient’s ear to determine the level of vibrations that pass through the ears. A bone oscillator can also be used for the same.

There is no age bar for the eligibility for pure tone audiometry. A baby born with a hearing ability is as much eligible for this test as is an old man or woman who has lost his or her hearing due to old age.

There are no age or health restrictions for the eligibility for pure tone audiometry.

There are no risks or side effects of pure tone audiometry.

After the pure tone audiometry is conducted, the results would be reviewed by the doctor who would certify the kind of treatment one needs to undergo depending on the quality of hearing. To take any preventive measures like hearing aids or plugs would also be suggested by the doctor.

The result yielded by the audiometry test would determine the kind of treatment to be undergone, if at all. The recovery period would depend on the adversity of the issue, in extreme cases. For mild hearing problems, preventive measures such as hearing plugs or corrective measures such as hearing aids would be given to the individual.

In India, the price of the pure tone audiometry test ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500.

The test determines the adversity of the hearing issue faced by an individual. The preventive or corrective measures would give a semi-permanent relief to the patient. However, one can undergo loss of hearing again, on being exposed to noise, eardrum injury or any damage to the ear.