Final answer:
The VU meter on a speech audiometer is used to monitor live voice presentations, in conjunction with the attenuator, and to calibrate recorded speech material. It ensures that speech levels are consistent for accurate hearing tests, which is distinct from the functionality of a light meter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The VU (Volume Unit) meter on a speech audiometer is crucial in the field of audiology, which deals with the assessment and management of hearing loss. The primary function of a VU meter in this context is to monitor live voice speech presentations, ensuring that the speech levels are consistent and within an acceptable range for patient testing. It is commonly used in conjunction with the attenuator, which adjusts the intensity of sound, to present speech at various loudness levels. Furthermore, audiologists rely on the VU meter to calibrate recorded speech material, guaranteeing that the playback levels match the calibrated output required for precise hearing tests.
When considering the details provided about light meters, it is clear that those particular specifications are not directly related to a VU meter used in speech audiometry. Instead, the characteristics mentioned, such as the response to low frequency light or high binding energy, pertain more to the functionality of a device used in photometry or light measurement rather than audio level metering.