What is an audiogram?
An audiogram is a chart used to plot out hearing sensitivity and visually display the results of an audiogram hearing test. The quietest sounds a person can hear—thresholds—are measured across a broad range of pitches.How to read an audiogram test
The following is a generic audiogram chart that displays pitch, loudness level and the degrees of hearing loss. The farther away from normal hearing a person’s threshold is, the louder the sound needs to be before they are able to hear it.- The numbers on the top of the audiogram represent pitch. When reading them from left to right, pitch changes from low to high (bass to treble).
- The numbers running down the side of the audiogram represent loudness level. When reading from top to bottom, the loudness changes from soft to loud.
The symbols below show how hearing thresholds are marked during an actual hearing test. These symbols indicate the softest sounds a person can hear at each pitch. There are different symbols used depending on the type of testing conditions used. These symbols only appear on your individual test results, not on the sample image shown here.
Air conduction testing
Air conduction refers to testing where the sound has to travel from the outer ear canal through the middle ear to the inner ear. This is the type of testing where over the ear headphones or insert earphones are used. Air conduction thresholds are impacted by middle ear issues, such as ear infections. Air conduction test symbols:- A red circle (Ο) or triangle (△) represents the right ear hearing thresholds.
- A blue x (X) or square (□) represents the left ear hearing thresholds.
Bone conduction testing
Bone conduction testing uses a small device placed on the bone behind the ear to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear. Bone conduction thresholds are not affected by middle ear problems. Bone conduction test symbols:- Right ear bone conduction thresholds are shown with either a “<” or “[“ symbol.
- Left ear bone conduction thresholds are shown with either a “>” or “]” symbol.
