Thresholds and Techniques

Familiarization

• 1000 Hz continuously on completely attenuated and gradually increase until response occurs

• Don’t mark till after first no response

Threshold is

not absolute and is more of a range that can be influenced

What is the duration that a tone should be presented?

1-2 seconds

Ascending Method

• Start well below expected threshold

• Determined by preceding response

• Failure to respond

  • then increase 5 dB until response

• With response decrease 10 dB

Descending Method

• Start above expected threshold

• Failure to respond

  • then increase 5 dB until response

• With response decrease 10 dB

The interoctaves

750 and 1500 Hz

Diagnostic Techniques

• Purpose: To find out exactly what kind of hearing loss someone has.

• How It Works: Tests a wide range of sounds and volumes to make a detailed hearing map (audiogram).

• When It’s Used: When someone notices hearing problems or needs a full hearing evaluation.

Monitoring Technique

• Purpose: To check for changes in hearing over time.

• How It Works: Tests just a few key frequencies quickly to see if hearing is getting worse.

• When It’s Used: For routine check-ups, like in noisy workplaces or if someone is taking medicine that might affect hearing.

If the Diagnostic Technique is being used and a low-frequency hearing loss exists then 125 Hz should be tested.

True

The Diagnostic Techniques test 250 Hz and the interoctaves, 750 Hz and 1500 Hz, where the Monitoring Technique doesn’t.

True

When testing what ear should you test first?

Test the better ear first and if they don’t have a better ear then test the right one first

The initial test frequency is

1000 Hz

Once you go through all the frequencies in the first ear, you should retest 1000 Hz

True

Is it necessary to retest 1000 Hz in the second ear?

No

Interoctaves only need to be tested in the ear that needs it.

True