Pure Tone Audiometry

Pure tone audiometry is the standard behavioral hearing test used to measure hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies. The person being tested wears headphones or insert earphones and listens for tones presented at different pitches and volumes, responding each time they detect a sound. The audiologist uses an audiometer to present tones and adjusts the volume in small steps to find the softest level the person can detect at each frequency, establishing the hearing threshold.

Testing typically covers frequencies from 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz. Bone conduction testing is also performed using a small vibrating device placed behind the ear or on the forehead to assess inner ear function directly, helping to determine the type of hearing loss present. Results are plotted on an audiogram.

For individuals who cannot participate reliably (such as young infants or people with cognitive limitations), objective tests like auditory brainstem response (ABR) are used instead.