Being able to hear may not be something that people think about at all, but ironically it becomes more important as it is lost. Advances in industry and adaptations in lifestyle have made hearing loss a more prominent matter than it used to be. Audiometers are used in arresting the modern trend of hearing loss.

As people go about their daily lives, they undergo exposure to very loud noise, sometimes in their place of work and at other times during recreational activities. For example, modern industry produces substantial noise, while modern music amplification has a similar effect. In order to combat hearing loss, it is necessary to measure hearing, and this is what audio measuring devices are used for.

Audiometers all rely on the same concept in their operation. They produce a test sound which is heard (or not heard) by the person being tested. The frequency and volume of the test sound can be regulated, allowing the person's hearing to be measured. The frequency or pitch of the sound is determined in Hertz (Hz) and the volume in decibels (dB). High sounds have a high frequency, while low sounds have a low one. A bass singer in an opera sings at a low frequency. Loud noises measure many decibels, which are a reflection of the noises' intensity.

This type of test is used to determine the degree of sensitivity of the person's hearing. A typical audiometer consists of a set of headphones which are connected to a machine or a computer. Once a reading has been determined, appropriate action can be taken in safeguarding and mending the person's hearing.

The trick in using an audiometer is to make it produce exactly the right sounds. In order to do this, the audiometer needs to be calibrated, in the same way as a musical instrument needs to be tuned. Calibration, or re-calibration, needs to be done frequently in order to ensure maximum reliability.

There are several ways in which an audiometer gets put out of tune, such as incorrect handling of the equipment, an environmental temperature which is too high or too low, the equipment's age, and excessive use. Like a musical instrument, an audiometer is a sensitive piece of equipment. In order to operate with acceptable accuracy at all times, an audiometer should be re-calibrated every year.

There are basically two kinds of audiometer: the hardware and the software type. The hardware type consists of a device wired to a pair of earphones. The software type, on the other hand, is based on a computer program. Both have the same function. The key difference between the two is that software-based audiometers never need re-calibration because they are digitally programmed. They can also achieve a deeper level of accuracy because they are computerized. However, they are more tricky to deploy because of idiosyncratic factors unique to each PC and user.

In modern times, the level of noise in the everyday environment of the public is higher than it used to be. Audiometers have an important function in keeping this noise in check. They represent a key tool in the fight against hearing loss and aural damage.