Which diagnostic method is important for identifying changes in hearing levels over time?

Air-conduction audiometry is crucial for identifying changes in hearing levels over time as it measures the ability of sound to travel through the outer, middle, and inner ear to the brain. This method involves presenting sounds through headphones or speakers, allowing for the assessment of hearing thresholds at various frequencies. By conducting air-conduction audiometry at regular intervals, audiologists can track variations in hearing sensitivity, which is essential for monitoring hearing loss progression or recovery over time.

In contrast, bone-conduction testing evaluates how well sound travels directly to the inner ear through the skull bone, but it is primarily used to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing losses rather than to monitor changes over time. Subjective hearing assessments rely on individual reports and perceptions of hearing abilities, which may not provide consistent or quantifiable changes. Speech recognition tests assess how well a person can understand spoken words but are not used as a systematic method for tracking changes in hearing thresholds. Thus, air-conduction audiometry is the most effective method for longitudinal hearing assessment.