The occlusion effect can lead to what adjustment in audiometric testing?

The occlusion effect refers to the phenomenon where the presence of an earplug or hearing aid in the ear canal blocks external sounds from entering while amplifying sounds internally. This effect can lead to an increased perception of loudness for low-frequency sounds.

In audiometric testing, when an individual experiences the occlusion effect, they may perceive sounds as louder than they actually are because the ear canal is sealed off, causing sound vibrations to resonate within. This results in a false elevation in loudness perception for both air conduction and bone conduction.

Consequently, adjustments may need to be made to test results, especially when interpreting bone conduction thresholds, as they could be misleading due to the increased perception of sound caused by the occlusion effect. Thus, recognizing the impact of this phenomenon is essential for accurate audiometric evaluations.