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Screening Audiometry
While tympanometry and acoustic reflex measurements check the integrity of the middle-ear system,
audiometry provides a means for checking the integrity of the entire auditory pathway. Screening
audiometry provides a method to determine
an individual’s ability to hear a test signal at
a particular
intensity level or at the lowest possible intensity level without the use of masking.
During screening audiometry, the test signal is generally presented through an earphone to the ear.
Different screening test protocols define the frequencies and intensity sequence to be used to obtain
a response. Audiometric testing requires a behavioral response from the individual being tested. This
consists of having the individual raise a finger/hand or press a handswitch (optional) whenever the
test signal is heard. The finger/hand is lowered or the handswitch is released when the test signal is
no longer audible. The individual being tested must be able to understand a set of simple instructions
and have the ability to provide some physical sign when the test signal is heard.
The GSI 39 allows for both manual and automated audiometry. For further details on automated
audiometry, see
Automatic Hearing Level
in Chapter 3 of this guide.
