What approach should be taken if a patient does not respond even when a sound is audible?

When a patient does not respond even when a sound is clearly audible, it's important to consider potential false negative reasons. False negatives can occur for various reasons, including the patient’s understanding or perception of the task, fatigue, lack of attention, or even psychological factors such as anxiety. By considering these potential factors, practitioners can address the underlying issues that may be affecting the patient's response to auditory stimuli.

This approach encourages further investigation into the patient's hearing capability rather than simply assuming that the test indicates normal hearing ability. Understanding why the patient is not responding is critical in providing accurate assessment and effective treatment. Evaluating false negatives can help in clarifying the patient's actual hearing thresholds and ensuring that interventions are appropriately tailored to each individual's needs, regardless of the audible sound level.

In contrast, repeating the sound louder or trying different frequencies may not address the underlying reason for non-response. Documenting it as a normal result could lead to misinterpretation of the patient's hearing status, potentially overlooking a hearing deficiency that warrants attention. Therefore, considering factors that could contribute to false negatives is the most comprehensive and insightful approach in such scenarios.