Free Field Audiometry

Free Field Audiometry

Free field audiometry allows clinicians to test pure tones and speech stimuli without the use of headphones or other on-ear transducers. This can be useful for not only individuals who are unable to wear headphones, but for validating hearing aids as well. During free field audiometry, instead of headphones, the sounds are presented via a speaker placed in front of the patient.

1. Real-World Hearing Assessment: Free field testing helps assess how well an individual hears and localizes sounds in a more natural listening environment, which can be more indicative of real-world hearing abilities compared to headphones.
2. Children and Non-Verbal Individuals: It’s particularly useful for evaluating young children, especially those who cannot be tested reliably with earphones or headphones, and for individuals with developmental disabilities who may not respond well to traditional audiometric tests.
3. Sound Localization: This test can provide information about a person’s ability to localize sounds, which is important for understanding how they perceive and react to sounds in their environment.
4. Hearing Aid Evaluation: It is also used to evaluate how well hearing aids or other amplification devices work in a real-world setting, where the sound field is more representative of everyday listening situations.

Free Field Testing provides valuable insights into how a person hears and responds to sounds in a natural setting. It is particularly useful for evaluating young children, individuals with special needs, and the effectiveness of hearing aids. The test requires a controlled environment, proper equipment, and careful observation to ensure accurate results.