Pure Tone Audiometry Test

What is Pure Tone Audiometry PTA ?

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is a hearing test. It is undertaken by the Audiologist to determine the threshold hearing levels of an individual, thereby helping to understand the degree, type and configuration of the hearing loss. The test is subjective in nature as the test primarily depends on the patient’s response to pure tone stimuli.

What happens during the PTA Test?
During the test the patient is made to sit in a soundproof room and made to wear headphones. The Audiologist is normally seated outside manipulates the audiometric equipment for testing the patient’s hearing. The audiologist first examines whether the patient is able to hear a variety of different pitches. The patient is to respond by pressing a button or raising the hand when he or she hears the various tones. The second part tests for air conduction and bone conduction. The headphones for air conduction testing as well as the headband with the oscillator are put behind your ear for bone conduction testing. The audiologist compares the test results for both the types of conduction and finds out which part of the auditory system has caused the hearing loss which has occurred.

Normally a typical Pure Tone Audiometry PTA Test should take about 20-25 minutes. However since this is a subjective test the response of the patient is critical for correct findings. This is why PTA hearing test is conducted on adults and children who are old enough to cooperate for the hearing test. The audiologist analyzes the results of the test and tries to explain to the patient how to understand his or her audiogram. Depending on the results of the PTA tests the audiologist decides on the future course of treatment and also the type of hearing aid technology to improve the hearing levels.

However like most other clinical tests the Pure Tone Audiometry PTA test too requires high standards of equipment and an expert audiologist to carry out the hearing test.