How far must the whisper test be conducted from the examiner?

The whisper test is a simple screening tool used to assess a person's hearing ability, specifically to determine if they can hear soft spoken words from a certain distance. For the whisper test, the recommended distance from the examiner is 5 feet. This distance allows for a standardized environment in which the examiner can effectively gauge the patient's hearing capabilities without external distractions or excessive ambient noise interfering. Conducting the test at this distance helps ensure that the assessment is reliable and that the results reflect the individual's auditory function.

Other distances suggested in the answer choices do not align with the established guidelines used in clinical settings for effectively administering the whisper test.