In a standard audiometric assessment, what is typically used to measure low-frequency hearing?

Air conduction testing is the correct method used to measure low-frequency hearing in a standard audiometric assessment. This testing involves delivering sounds through headphones or ear inserts, which stimulates the auditory system as a whole, allowing for the assessment of hearing sensitivity across various frequencies, including the low frequencies. By presenting a series of tones at different intensities, the audiologist can determine the softest sounds a person can hear at low frequencies.

Low-frequency sounds typically pertain to frequencies up to 1000 Hz, and air conduction testing is effective for evaluating how well the outer, middle, and inner ear can transmit these sounds to the brain. This method provides valuable information about a patient's overall hearing capability and helps identify the presence of any hearing loss associated with these frequencies.

Other testing methods, such as bone conduction testing, are used to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss but do not typically focus solely on low frequencies in the context of a standard audiometric assessment. Speech reception threshold testing is designed to assess the lowest intensity at which speech can be detected and understood, and otoacoustic emissions are used to evaluate cochlear function but do not directly measure hearing sensitivity at specific frequencies.