What is the primary purpose of the Houghson-Westlake procedure?

The primary purpose of the Houghson-Westlake procedure is to find the threshold for pure tones. This method is designed specifically for audiometric testing, where the aim is to determine the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies. During the procedure, the audiologist presents pure tone stimuli at various levels and gradually adjusts the intensity until the listener can no longer detect the sound. By systematically altering the volume and frequency, the procedure provides a precise measure of an individual’s hearing sensitivity.

Using this method allows practitioners to create an audiogram, which is a graphical representation of a person’s hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies. This information is critical for diagnosing hearing loss, planning treatment, or fitting hearing aids. The Houghson-Westlake technique is known for its reliability and effectiveness in establishing accurate thresholds, making it a foundational tool in audiology.