Which type of audiometry uses headphones to diagnose hearing loss?

Air-conduction audiometry is the correct type that uses headphones to assess hearing loss. This method involves the use of headphones or earphones to present sounds at various frequencies and intensities directly to the ear. The results help determine how well an individual can hear sounds transmitted through the air, providing valuable information about the functioning of the outer and middle ear, as well as the inner ear.

During the test, the person being evaluated listens for tones and indicates when they can hear them, allowing the audiologist to map the hearing capabilities across different frequencies. This type of testing is fundamental in identifying the degree and type of hearing loss and is typically one of the first steps in a comprehensive audiological evaluation.

Bone-conduction testing, while also a method used to assess hearing, differs in that it bypasses the outer and middle ear, delivering vibrations directly to the cochlea through a bone oscillator. Speech audiometry is focused specifically on understanding speech and does not primarily assess the full range of hearing ability across frequencies. Otoacoustic emissions testing evaluates the function of the inner ear and is not typically performed through headphones.