What best describes a manual audiometer?

A manual audiometer is best described as an audiometer that is controlled by the tester. In a manual audiometry setup, the audiologist or technician has direct control over the test parameters, such as the presentation of sound and the intensity levels. This allows for more tailored testing, as the operator can adjust the settings in real-time based on the patient's responses. Manual audiometers often require the tester to select frequencies and presentation levels based on their clinical judgment and knowledge of the patient's hearing abilities.

In contrast, automated audiometers are specifically designed to run tests without the same level of human intervention, which distinguishes them from manual audiometers. While audiometers can be designed to test various populations, including children, the manual audiometer is not limited to any specific age group or type of patient. Additionally, different audiometers can assess a range of frequencies, not just speech frequencies, thereby broadening their utility in audiometric evaluations.