How much should the volume be increased if the patient does NOT respond?

When a patient does not respond during a hearing test, it's crucial to adjust the volume to ensure that the sound is within a perceivable range for the patient. Increasing the volume by 5 dB is a standard practice in audiometry, as it allows for a reasonable step up in intensity while minimizing potential discomfort and avoiding overwhelming the patient with a drastic increase. A 5 dB increase strikes a balance between ensuring the sound is loud enough to elicit a response while also maintaining patient comfort and sensitivity.

Using larger increments, such as 10 dB or 15 dB, might lead to abrupt changes that could exceed the patient's comfort threshold or cause unnecessary stress. On the other hand, a smaller increase, such as 2 dB, may not be sufficient to cross the threshold of hearing for many patients, particularly if they are already having difficulty hearing the sounds at the current level. Thus, the 5 dB increase is both effective and patient-friendly for gradually determining the patient's hearing capabilities.