soundfield testing
Audiometric assessment conducted through loudspeakers in a calibrated test environment rather than via earphones, used to measure a patient's hearing ability or aided performance in a free-field condition.
Full Definition
Soundfield testing presents stimuli through calibrated loudspeakers in an acoustically treated room, allowing assessment of hearing without placing earphones on the patient. It is particularly useful for young children, patients who cannot tolerate earphones, and for measuring aided thresholds or functional gain from hearing devices. Because soundfield testing presents stimuli to both ears simultaneously, it reflects the better ear and cannot yield ear-specific information. Editors should note that soundfield is written as one word when used as an adjective preceding a noun and should not be split into 'sound field' in technical audiology documents unless house style dictates otherwise.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer 'soundfield' (one word) as an adjective in clinical documents, consistent with BSA terminology. Note that results reflect binaural performance and cannot substitute for monaural threshold data.
In Context
- "Soundfield testing confirmed aided thresholds within the speech banana at all frequencies from 250 to 4000 Hz." — Paediatric hearing aid review report
- "The audiologist elected soundfield testing as the child repeatedly rejected insert earphones." — Clinical case note