How to Read an Audiogram: Understanding Your Hearing Results
- suonohearing
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
An audiogram is a visual representation of your hearing ability, showing how well you hear sounds at different pitches and volumes. If you’ve recently had a hearing test, understanding your audiogram can help you make informed decisions about your hearing health. Let’s break down how to read an audiogram step by step.
What is an Audiogram?
An audiogram is a graph that displays the results of a pure-tone audiometry test, which measures the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. It consists of two axes:
X-Axis (Horizontal) – Represents the frequency (pitch) of sounds in Hertz (Hz), ranging from low-pitched sounds (125 Hz) on the left to high-pitched sounds (8000 Hz) on the right.
Y-Axis (Vertical) – Represents the intensity (loudness) of sounds in decibels (dB), with quieter sounds at the top (-10 dB) and louder sounds at the bottom (120 dB).
Understanding the Symbols
O (Red) – Right Ear Air Conduction
X (Blue) – Left Ear Air Conduction
[ or ] – Bone Conduction Test (measures inner ear function)
△ or ◻ – Masked Bone Conduction (used to ensure accuracy when one ear has significantly better hearing than the other)
Interpreting Your Results
Your hearing thresholds (the softest sounds you can hear) are plotted on the graph. The lower the marks on the audiogram, the greater the degree of hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Categories
Hearing Level (dB) | Hearing Ability | Example Sounds |
-10 to 20 dB | Normal Hearing | Birds chirping, whispering |
21-40 dB | Mild Hearing Loss | Soft speech, rustling leaves |
41-55 dB | Moderate Hearing Loss | Normal conversation |
56-70 dB | Moderately Severe Loss | Loud speech |
71-90 dB | Severe Hearing Loss | Shouting, sirens |
91+ dB | Profound Hearing Loss | Jet engines, fireworks |
Types of Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss – If bone conduction results are significantly better than air conduction, the problem is in the outer or middle ear.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss – If both air and bone conduction results are similar but show hearing loss, the issue lies in the inner ear or auditory nerve.
Mixed Hearing Loss – A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
What to Do Next?
If your audiogram indicates hearing loss, an audiologist will discuss treatment options, which may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive devices. Regular hearing check-ups ensure early intervention and better hearing health.
Do you have questions about your audiogram? Contact us at Suono Hearing for expert guidance and hearing care solutions!
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