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Audiometer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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audiometer

[ˌɔː.di.ˈɑː.mɪ.tər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

medical device

An audiometer is an electronic device used to measure hearing acuity. It assesses how well a person can hear various sounds, typically through headphones, and helps determine the presence and type of hearing loss.

Synonyms

hearing evaluator, hearing test device.

Examples of usage

  • The audiometer showed that the patient had a mild hearing loss.
  • After the audiogram, the audiologist used an audiometer to check the results.
  • During the hearing test, the audiometer played sounds at different frequencies.
  • She was nervous about the audiometer results but learned a lot from the testing process.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History of Hearing Testing

  • Before audiometers, basic hearing assessments were done using tuning forks in the late 19th century.
  • The first electronic audiometer was developed in the 1940s, revolutionizing the way audiologists tested hearing.
  • In 1966, an international standard for audiometry was created to ensure consistency in hearing testing practices worldwide.

Health and Medicine

  • Audiometers play a crucial role in diagnosing hearing impairments, which affect about 1 in 6 people worldwide.
  • Regular hearing tests using audiometers can help catch issues early, preventing further deterioration.
  • Hearing aids are often customized based on results from an audiometer, ensuring proper amplification of sounds.

Technology

  • Modern audiometers often use computer software to provide detailed graphical representations of hearing ability.
  • There are portable audiometers now available, making it easier to test hearing in various environments, including homes and schools.
  • Advancements in technology have led to automatic audiometric testing, streamlining the process and improving accuracy.

Pop Culture

  • Audiometers can sometimes make appearances in movies or TV shows as symbols of age or adaptability in older characters.
  • In popular music, themes around hearing and sound often touch on the importance of listening, echoing the need for devices like audiometers.
  • Several documentaries focus on hearing loss, where audiometers are featured as essential tools in understanding this common health issue.

Origin of 'audiometer'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from 'audio,' meaning sound, and '-meter,' meaning measure, combining to mean 'sound measurement.'
  • It was first introduced in the early 20th century, reflecting advancements in technology using electricity to assess hearing.
  • The prefix 'audi' is rooted in the Latin word 'audire,' which means 'to hear.'

The word 'audiometer' is derived from the root 'audio,' which comes from the Latin word 'audire,' meaning 'to hear.' The suffix '-meter' indicates a device that measures, deriving from the Greek 'metron,' meaning 'measure.' The concept of measuring hearing began to formalize in the late 19th century, with various rudimentary devices being developed to assess auditory function. The first reliable audiometer was created in the early 20th century, aligning with developments in audiology as a field of medicine. As technology advanced, audiometers evolved from the mechanical devices of the past to the sophisticated electronic instruments used today, allowing for precise measurement of hearing across different frequencies and intensities.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,931 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.