Listen, Learn & Talk

Hearing Test

 

                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An audiogram is a graph that illustrates a person's hearing for each ear, indicating the degree and type of hearing loss.

 

 The method used to collect the information is called pure- tone audiometery and may quantify the degree of hearing loss, the site of lesion and in some cases, the origin of the hearing loss.

 

The audiogram shows the threshold of hearing for several frequencies. The threshold of hearing is measured and is defined as the lowest intensity at which the listener can identify the presence of the signal at least 50% of the time.

 

In the audiogram, the top of the grid shows pitch (frequency) of sounds, from low to high pitch. The loudness of sounds, also called Hearing level is measured in decibels (dB) from soft to loud sounds.

 

Hearing level is defined as the deviation in dB of an individual hearing threshold from the zero reference. The zero reference is the hearing threshold of an “average normal” young person. Normal hearing is not only on the zero line, also the range up to 20 dB HL (dB Hearing Level) is normal.

 

Deviations from that range (0-20dBHL) are considered to be a “hearing loss” and are determined by the severity, e.g. mild hearing loss, moderate hearing loss, severe hearing loss, profound hearing loss (see graph).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This short checklist will help you determine whether you are experiencing specific hearing problems. The questions relate to everyday listening situations where many people - even those with only minor hearing losses - could experience difficulties hearing clearly. Please take your time to answer the questions, perhaps together with a close friend or family member who might have commented on your hearing ability.