Which device is utilized for testing hearing acuity?

The audiometer is specifically designed for testing hearing acuity, making it the most appropriate choice in this context. It is a versatile instrument that can play a variety of sounds at different frequencies and intensities, allowing audiologists and hearing specialists to assess a person’s ability to hear various tones. The results obtained from an audiometer provide critical information regarding the nature and extent of hearing loss in individuals, which is essential for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Other devices listed serve different purposes. An acoustic analyzer measures the acoustic properties of sounds but does not directly assess hearing acuity. A sound level meter measures the intensity of sound in the environment but is not used for assessing an individual's hearing capabilities. A speech processor, typically part of a hearing aid or cochlear implant system, helps to process sounds for better understanding but does not perform hearing tests. Each of these tools plays a valuable role in the field of audiology but does not serve the specific function of evaluating hearing acuity like the audiometer does.