What Is an Audiogram?
The results of your hearing test are shown on a graph called an audiogram. This graph shows which types of sounds you can and can’t hear. Hearing aids are prescribed based on the results of your audiogram. A sample audiogram is provided below.
How to read an audiogram
This sample audiogram can help you understand what your own audiogram shows about your hearing loss. On the sample:
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Frequency (tone or pitch) is shown from left to right. As pictured above, a barking dog has a lower frequency than a vacuum cleaner.
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Volume is shown from top to bottom. A chirping bird (top of the graph) is much softer than a lawn mower (near the bottom).
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Conversation sounds are shown inside the dotted line. Most vowel sounds are lower frequency and louder volume than most consonants.
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Amount of hearing loss is shown in the labels on the right of the graph. Someone with mild hearing loss may only have trouble hearing birds or understanding conversation. A person with profound hearing loss may not even hear a bus go by.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Ashutosh Kacker MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Tara Novick BSN MSN
Date Last Reviewed:
5/1/2022
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