Understanding Your Hearing Test: Frequencies, Decibels and More

In your first meeting with an audiologist, there may be a touch of anxiety about what lies ahead. After completing the hearing test, your audiologist will walk you through a visual representation, explaining the chart’s signs and symbols to ensure a comprehensive grasp of your results. While the audiogram might seem complex initially, gaining familiarity from the help your audiologist about the terminology enables you to navigate and interpret it more effortlessly. This knowledge not only improves your interaction with the audiologist but also provides a clearer insight into the extent of your hearing capabilities. With the help of your audiologist, they will help you gain an understanding of your hearing loss, and what would be the next steps, if a hearing aid is required.

Frequencies

An audiogram is a graph that records the sound frequency on a horizontal axis, and the volume on a vertical axis. The vertical axis is measured in decibels. As the line goes up, the sound volume decreases. At the very top, which is zero decibels (dBs), the sound will be barely audible. Down the line, your things will get louder, until you hit 100dBs. As you go along the horizontal axis, you will notice that this is measured in hertz. The frequency will start at 250 hertz (Hz) and go up to 8,000 Hz. The sounds that are lower in frequency tend to include vowel sounds, with consonants having notably higher frequency.

The Assessment

The graph may be difficult to understand at first, but your audiologist will help you to understand your chart. You will begin at the top left corner of the graph, which is the lowest frequency. Your audiologist will play a sound and they will start at the lowest decibel. As you hear it, they will then make a mark between 125 Hz and zero decibels. If you are unable to hear this noise then a sound will be played again at a louder volume. You will keep on doing this until marks have been made along the horizontal axis.

The Results

Having normal hearing implies the ability to detect a wide range of frequencies. If you can perceive all sounds at 25dBs, your hearing is considered normal. On the other hand, if you only pick up a sound at 40dBs, it indicates a moderate hearing loss at that specific frequency. Your audiologist will review your results and explain the level of hearing loss you are experiencing, if any at all. If you want to look over your results as well ask your audiologist for a copy to study at facilitating a better understanding of your hearing loss. There are several ranges of hearing loss, these include:

• Normal hearing: zero to 25dBS.
• Mild hearing loss: 20-40dBs.
• Moderate hearing loss: 40-70dBs.
• Severe hearing loss: 70-90dBs.
• Profound hearing loss: 90dBs and above.

Once you have a good understanding of your hearing loss and what to expect when the time comes for you to attend your hearing appointment, you can make the most out of your appointment. If you have hearing loss your audiologist might recommend hearing aids, depending on the severity of your hearing loss. If you want to find out more about hearing aids then take a look below.

Getting a Hearing Aid

Upon diagnosis of the extent of your hearing loss, a suitable hearing aid may be recommended to enhance your auditory experience. Acquiring a hearing aid allows you to perceive frequencies that were once challenging, significantly improving your overall hearing. If the process of selecting the right hearing aid feels overwhelming, rest assured – your audiologist is there to guide you through the decision-making process. They will collaborate with you to choose the most fitting device and fine-tune it according to your specific requirements, alleviating any concerns you may have. There are three common hearing aid styles that your audiologist may recommend including:

• In the ear (ITE)
• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the canal (ITC)

Your audiologist, when they have interpreted your results, will be able to recommend what lifestyle changes you can make to better your quality of life. If you want to learn more about your hearing loss or what changes you can make to help with your hearing loss then contact ChEARS Hearing Center today. Call us today at (619) 717-2601 if you want to find out more about the services offered, understanding your results or choosing the right hearing aid style for your specific needs. We can’t wait to hear from you!