audioscope

audioscope

(od′ē-ō-skōp″) [ audi- + -scope] A device to test hearing, esp. in the 500 to 4000 Hz range (the range of human speech). It combines an otoscope (for identifying cerumen impaction or abnormalities that may cause conductive hearing loss) with an audiometer (set at 40 dB) to assess the ability to hear particular tones.

Patient care

Hearing loss occurs in about 25% to 40% of all people older than 65. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends audioscopic screening of all older adults for hearing loss. Patients whose hearing loss is demonstrated by screening should be referred for formal audiological testing.