What Does
Audiometry Mean?
Audiometry is the science of measuring hearing acuity for variations in pitch and sound intensity, and for tonal purity. An audiometry test is performed to determine baseline hearing and to monitor the effects of noise exposure. The test must be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician; or by a technician who is certified by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation.
The audiometry test environment and the audiometer must meet criteria set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Safeopedia Explains Audiometry
In an audiometry test, the right and left ears must be tested individually. The test shall also consist of pure-tone, hearing threshold measures at no less than 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 hertz (Hz). The results of the test are plotted visually on an audiogram.
A worker’s baseline audiogram is performed at least 14 hours after noise exposure, or at the time of hire for job placement, or when a worker is transferred from a non-noisy to a noisy work site. This baseline audiogram is used as a reference against which future audiograms are compared.