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dimanche 30 juin 2013

A Simple Guide To Audiometers

By Lana Bray


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 work on the same principle. They produce a sound which is listened to by the person being tested. The volume and frequency of the test sound can be controlled, thereby providing a standard against which the person's hearing can be measured. The frequency or pitch is measured in Hertz (Hz) and the volume is measured in decibels (dB). Pitch describes how high or low a sound is. For example, a soprano singer achieves a high pitch, while a bass guitar plays at a low pitch. Volume measures the intensity of the sound.

This type of test is used to determine the degree of sensitivity of the person's hearing. A typical audiometer consists of a set of headphones which are connected to a machine or a computer. Once a reading has been determined, appropriate action can be taken in safeguarding and mending the person's hearing.

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.

There are several ways in which an audiometer gets put out of tune, such as incorrect handling of the equipment, an environmental temperature which is too high or too low, the equipment's age, and excessive use. Like a musical instrument, an audiometer is a sensitive piece of equipment. In order to operate with acceptable accuracy at all times, an audiometer should be re-calibrated every year.

At present there are two types of audiometer: the hardware and the software type. The hardware version consists of a stereotypical design: earphones plugged into a box or machine. The software type also uses earphones, but they are linked to a PC or other digital device. The most important difference lies in their respective performances. A software audiometer never needs re-calibration, just as a digital musical tuner can never go out of tune. Software devices can also produce more detailed readings, since they are digital. However, software audiometers are also harder to use accurately because they involve individualized on-board and hardware settings, which make calibration more difficult.

In contemporary times people are experiencing progressively louder sound environments. Audiometers play a key role in monitoring this situation. They are of invaluable assistance in regulating and preventing hearing damage and loss.




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