Traditional vs digital mobile audiometers - what’s the difference?

Pure tone audiometry is a hearing test that evaluates a person’s ability to hear sounds of different frequencies and intensities. This essential test helps identify hearing difficulties and is widely used in clinical and industrial settings for hearing screening and diagnostic testing. Audiometers play an important part in conducting these tests. There are two types of audiometers, both with distinct features: Traditional and digital mobile audiometers.

Traditional audiometers

Traditional audiometers are stationary and typically require a soundproof booth (enclosed space that isolates the patient from external noise) for accurate results. The audiometer consists of headphones, a bone vibrator and a control panel which generates pure tones at different frequencies and intensities. A trained technician or qualified hearing healthcare provider manually adjusts these frequencies based on the patient’s responses - a process known as pure tone testing. Conventional pure-tone audiometry using traditional audiometers are the gold standard of testing and can also test a wide range of frequencies and intensities, making them useful for diagnosing different types and degrees of hearing loss.

Digital mobile audiometers

Digital mobile audiometers are a newer innovation designed to make hearing testing more portable and convenient. These devices can operate on a smart device which allows them to be used outside of a soundproof booth - ideal for use cases like onsite testing, where mobility and ease of use is pivotal. Digital mobile audiometers feature interactive audiometry software, with some models offering both manual and automated testing modes. An advantage of the automated testing option is that it adjusts frequency and intensity based on the patient's responses, thereby reducing the need for a trained technician or qualified hearing healthcare provider.

An example of a digital audiometer is hearTest - one of our flagship digital hearing testing solutions. hearTest offers the functionality of a traditional audiometer while being lightweight and easy to use. It uses calibrated headphones and offers an extended high frequency testing option to support early hearing loss detection. hearTest allows for automated or operator-controlled testing and its user-friendly design makes it easy to use with minimal training - a feature that bridges the gap between traditional and digital audiometry solutions.

Traditional vs. digital audiometers: Pros and cons

When evaluating the pros and cons of traditional and digital audiometers, there are a few factors to take into consideration:

Traditional audiometers:

Pros:

• Comprehensive diagnostics: Traditional audiometers offer a wide range of tests, including bone conduction audiometry and speech audiometry, which provide a more complete assessment of hearing loss.
• High precision: Due to their ability to be used in soundproof booths, traditional audiometers can deliver highly precise results, even in noisy surroundings, making them ideal for clinical environments.

Cons:

• Limited mobility: Traditional audiometers are typically bulky and require stationary setups, often limiting their use to clinical or hospital environments.
• Costly maintenance: Regular calibration and maintenance of traditional audiometers can be expensive and time-consuming due to the complexity of their hardware.

Digital audiometers:

Pros:

• Cost-effectiveness: Digital mobile audiometers are generally more affordable compared to traditional models1, making them accessible for smaller clinics, schools, and community screenings.
• Efficiency: Since they don’t require soundproof booths or complex equipment, digital mobile audiometers allow for quicker setups and faster test results, streamlining the testing process.

Cons:

• Limited range of tests: While useful for basic screenings, digital mobile audiometers may lack advanced testing options like bone conduction or speech audiometry, limiting their diagnostic capabilities.
• Reliance on battery power: Being portable, digital audiometers rely on battery life, which could pose challenges in environments with limited access to electricity or during extended usage.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional and digital mobile audiometers will depend on the patient's specific needs, the provider’s objectives and the testing environment.

Conclusion

As audiometry technology evolves, both traditional and digital mobile audiometers are valuable tools for screening and diagnosing hearing loss. The key is to choose the equipment that best addresses your requirements in terms of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, ease of use and diagnostic comprehensiveness.

Last updated: 18 August 2025.