CPT® Code 92551

A screening test for hearing, identified by CPT® Code 92551, is a fundamental evaluation that assesses an individual's ability to perceive sound through pure tone air conduction. This procedure does not utilize audiometry, which is a more complex method of hearing assessment. Instead, the screening focuses on identifying the faintest sounds that a person can detect across a range of frequencies, from low to high pitches. During the test, the patient typically wears earphones, allowing for the assessment of hearing capabilities in each ear independently. As tones are presented, the patient is instructed to respond when they hear a sound, which may involve raising a finger or hand or verbally indicating their response with a simple "yes." In some instances, more advanced testing equipment may be employed, requiring the patient to press a button to signal when they hear a tone and to specify whether the sound was perceived in the right or left ear. Following the completion of the screening, a written interpretation of the results is provided, summarizing the findings of the basic hearing assessment.