BARANY BOX

Typical Number in Hospital: 2

Cost Bands: 1

References:

In audiometry, although sound may be presented to one ear it is by no means certain which ear picks up the sound, especially when there is a marked difference in the acuity of the ears. This problem is overcome by presenting a noise to the non-test ear, so making it temporarily deaf. Pure tone audiometers usually include a device for doing this (called a masker) but when tuning fork tests are undertaken, a Barany box is sometimes used. It is a very simple clockwork device which emits a rattling noise to the non-test ear. It is very crude and probably creates more problems than it solves since the noise is usually sufficient to impair the hearing of the ear being tested in addition to that of the non-test ear.