Automated Audiometry: GSI AMTAS Pro vs GSI AMTAS Flex

It has been predicted for decades that the rising number of people who need hearing healthcare services will outpace the number of hearing healthcare professionals available. The implementation of automated audiometry can decrease the burden faced by patients and providers, such as travel distance and the wait time for and at appointments. Automated audiometry allows all demographics, especially those in rural areas, the possibility to receive a quality basic hearing assessment when it may not have otherwise been available.

GSI AMTAS™, or Automated Method for Testing Auditory Sensitivity, is Grason-Stadler’s automated audiometry solution that was introduced in 2015. This patient directed evaluation tool uses patented test methods and accuracy algorithms to obtain diagnostic or screening audiometry. With over 20 years of research and development, the validity of GSI AMTAS has been proven through comprehensive studies. GSI AMTAS comes in two versions–learn more about which version fits your unique needs.

GSI AMTAS Single Software Update

GSI AMTAS Pro™ was launched in 2015. It provided the ability to obtain masked air and bone conduction thresholds as well as masked SRT and word recognition. In 2018, GSI AMTAS Flex™ was launched as a portable tablet version that offered pure tone air conduction only. These versions had separate software programs which had the potential to cause inconvenience or confusion for users who had both versions of GSI AMTAS. In 2025, GSI AMTAS 2.0 was introduced. This update streamlined GSI AMTAS Pro and GSI AMTAS Flex software into a single software program. Users can connect to the GSI AMTAS hardware and select either the Pro or Flex version through the configuration application software, which will automatically detect the connected hardware to begin testing.

GSI AMTAS Pro

GSI AMTAS Pro was designed to save time and improve efficiency. It fits well into any practice that does routine audiometric testing. In environments such as ENT offices, VA clinics, private practices, and dispensing offices, GSI AMTAS Pro can be used to obtain validated test results, allowing audiologists to spend more time connecting, counseling, and focusing on patient care.

GSI AMTAS Pro includes masked air and bone conduction thresholds. In addition, speech reception thresholds and word recognition scores can also be obtained from the GSI AMTAS Pro software.

A requirement for GSI AMTAS Pro is a GSI audiometer that is licensed for use with the GSI AMTAS software. A computer will be needed to load the software, we recommend one with a touchscreen monitor. Since GSI AMTAS utilizes DD450 circumaural headphones, traditionally used for high frequency testing, the sound attenuation is excellent, and a booth is not required.

Required for AMTAS Pro:

• GSI Audiometer (GSI AudioStar Pro™ or GSI Pello™ with GSI AMTAS License)
• PC with GSI AMTAS Software and a telehealth software
• A quiet testing area

GSI AMTAS Flex

GSI AMTAS Flex is a tablet-based hearing evaluation that can be utilized for a variety of testing scenarios. For instance, automated audiometry can be utilized for walk-in patients, community outreach events, pre-screening for open houses, testing third parties, and conducting annual evaluations. It also improves clinic efficiency by allowing clinicians to handle multiple patients simultaneously.

• Threshold Mode: Threshold mode requires the equipment and environment same as screening mode, but what we obtain is a pure tone air conduction threshold test for all octaves between 250-8000 Hz. Masking is used by default with every tone presentation for air conduction in threshold mode.
• Screening Mode: The screening mode is limited to evaluating four frequencies, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. The GSI AMTAS Flex screening mode requires a Windows tablet with GSI AMTAS software, calibrated circumaural headphones, and a quiet room.
• Room Noise Monitor: The room noise monitor evaluates the ambient room noise and the distracting noises such as slamming doors or honking horns to ensure the background noise does not interfere with the hearing assessment.

Quality Indicators

While GSI is not the sole brand to offer automated audiometry, GSI AMTAS stands out as the most reliable option due to its patented quality indicators. Quality indicators provide information about the patient’s behavior during testing, giving the clinician insight on how to move forward with additional counseling and testing.

• Predicted Accuracy: Overall rating of the patient’s evaluation, or reliability. Good, fair, poor. If poor, a clinical interpretation of the quality indicators is required to determine whether a reassessment is needed.
• Predicted Average Absolute Difference: Difference between automated and manual thresholds.
• Masker Alerts: Thresholds where masking may have been too high or too low.
• Time Per Trial: The average time it took the patient to respond to the stimulus.
• False Alarm Rate: The number of times the patient responded “yes” when no stimulus was presented, divided by the total number of times no stimulus was presented.
• Average Test-Retest Difference: Average difference between 1 kHz test and retest in both right and left ears.
• Quality Check Fail Rate: Number of patients did not respond to stimulus above threshold, divided by number of measured thresholds. Ensures reliable tests and can assist in identifying functional hearing loss.
• Air/Bone Gaps > 35 DB: The number of air/bone gaps that exceed 35 dB.
• Air/Bone Gaps < -10DB: The number of air/bone gaps that are less than -10 dB.

Grason-Stadler Support

Whether you’re looking for screening or diagnostic automated testing, Grason-Stadler has curated educational content to support you far after purchase. From videos and tutorials to FAQs and testing guides, GSI’s educational materials support any questions that may arise. Follow the link to learn more about GSI AMTAS.

Tony received his master’s from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with an emphasis on pediatric audiology. He has over 20 years of experience in the hearing industry and has worked in a variety of settings. He has experience performing diagnostic testing with all age ranges, industrial audiology, retail, hearing aid financing and insurance, practice development programs and industry trade shows. At GSI, Tony is focused on training, support and education.