Final answer:
A simple tool to assess hearing that is commonly used in a provider's office is the audiometer. An audiometer is an electronic device that produces different sounds at various frequencies and intensities to test a person's hearing ability.
Step-by-step explanation:
A simple tool to assess hearing that is commonly used in a provider's office is the audiometer.
An audiometer is an electronic device that produces different sounds at various frequencies and intensities to test a person's hearing ability. The results of this test are recorded in an audiogram, which helps determine the type and degree of hearing loss.
Hearing tests are performed across a range of frequencies, usually from 250 to 8000 Hz, to assess the patient's hearing threshold in decibels (dB) relative to the normal threshold. A normal hearing threshold registers as 0 dB at all frequencies.