Audiology Equipment Buying Guide
Practical answers to the questions we hear most from hospitals, clinics and audiologists choosing new equipment — what to buy, how the equipment types differ, and how our brands compare.
Portable vs Clinical Audiometers
Portable and screening audiometers are built for mobility — camps, schools, occupational hearing conservation programmes — and typically test air conduction across a limited frequency range. Clinical and diagnostic audiometers add bone conduction, speech audiometry and a wider frequency/intensity range for full diagnostic workups in a hospital or clinic setting. If you're doing pass/fail screening at volume, a screening audiometer is usually the right fit; if you need full diagnostic testing, look at our clinical/diagnostic range.
Browse AudiometersTympanometry vs Audiometry — What's the Difference
Audiometry measures hearing thresholds — what a patient can and can't hear. Tympanometry measures middle-ear function — eardrum mobility, middle-ear pressure and acoustic reflexes — independent of whether the patient can hear well. Most clinics run both: audiometry to assess hearing loss, tympanometry to help identify whether a conductive (middle-ear) cause is involved. Combination units that do both from one device are also available.
Browse TympanometersWhat's the Difference Between OAE and ABR/BERA Testing
OAE (otoacoustic emissions) testing measures sound the cochlea itself produces in response to a stimulus — fast, and doesn't need the patient to respond, which is why it's the standard for newborn hearing screening. ABR/BERA (auditory brainstem response) measures the neural response along the hearing pathway, giving more diagnostic detail — used both for newborn screening follow-up and for diagnostic auditory brainstem/evoked-potential testing.
Browse OAE & ABR/BERASetting Up a New Audiology Clinic or Practice
A typical starting equipment list covers an audiometer (screening or diagnostic depending on your patient load), a tympanometer, headphones/insert earphones, and — if you'll see infants — an OAE or ABR/BERA screener. Add a sound-treated room or booth if ambient noise in your space is a concern. Our team can help put together a starter equipment list based on your patient volume and budget — get in touch with your requirement.
Talk to Our TeamAudiometer Calibration Requirements
Most manufacturers and audiology accreditation bodies recommend annual calibration of audiometers and tympanometers against a reference standard, or sooner after any repair, transport damage, or a suspected drift in results. Devices are typically checked and adjusted against relevant international acoustic standards. See our calibration page for the full process and to request a quotation.
Calibration ServicesHow Our Brands Compare
We carry all of the brands below — this is a quick orientation, not a ranking. Talk to our team for a recommendation based on your specific requirement.
Interacoustics
Broad range from entry-level screening audiometers to full diagnostic audiometry, tympanometry, OAE/ABR (Eclipse) and VNG/vestibular systems — a strong fit if you want one brand covering multiple test types.
MAICO Diagnostics
Strong across audiometers, tympanometers (touchTymp) and combined ABR/OAE screening (easyScreen) — popular for newborn hearing screening programmes.
Grason-Stadler (GSI)
Established clinical audiometry and tympanometry platforms, widely used in hospital diagnostic departments.
Intelligent Hearing Systems (IHS)
Specialises in evoked-potential/ABR and OAE systems, including portable options for screening programmes and research.
Inventis
Compact audiometers and tympanometers, including software-driven PC-based platforms.
PATH Medical
Focused OAE, ABR/ASSR and tympanometry range, including the Sentiero and QSCREEN lines for newborn and paediatric screening.
Want to compare specific models side by side. Use our product comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment does an audiologist need to get started
At minimum, an audiometer and a tympanometer cover the core of most audiology practices. Add an OAE or ABR/BERA system if you'll be doing newborn or paediatric hearing screening, and a sound booth if ambient noise in your testing room is a concern.
How much does an audiometer cost
Pricing depends on brand, technology level (screening vs clinical vs diagnostic) and configuration. Share your requirement with our team via the contact form or WhatsApp for a current quotation.
What is a tympanometer used for
A tympanometer measures middle-ear function — eardrum mobility, middle-ear pressure and acoustic reflexes — which helps identify conductive hearing issues such as fluid behind the eardrum or a perforated eardrum.
Do I need a sound booth for hearing tests
Not always. Portable and screening audiometers are designed to work in reasonably quiet rooms without a dedicated booth. For full diagnostic clinical audiometry, a sound-treated booth improves test accuracy by controlling ambient noise.
What is real ear measurement in audiology
Real ear measurement (REM) verifies how a hearing aid actually performs inside a specific patient's ear canal, rather than relying on manufacturer defaults — used during hearing aid fitting and verification.
What's the lifespan of an audiometer
With proper calibration and care, clinical audiometers typically remain in service for many years — the electronics and transducers are the main wear items, which is why regular calibration and our repair/AMC service matter for keeping an older unit accurate.
Is a portable audiometer accurate enough for clinical use
Portable and screening audiometers are built and calibrated to recognised accuracy standards for their intended use — screening and pass/fail testing. For full diagnostic work (detailed thresholds, bone conduction, speech audiometry), a clinical/diagnostic audiometer is the appropriate choice.
Not sure which equipment fits your practice
Tell us your patient volume, testing needs and budget — our team will recommend a fit.
Talk to Our Team