How to Read an Audiogram

Sample audiogram with the different categories of hearing loss severity

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Meaning of the numbers

Across the top of the graph there are numbers from 250 to 8000. These numbers (measured in Hz) represent the frequencies (pitches) of the sound presented to your child. They can be thought of as keys on a piano ranging from the bass notes (250 Hz) to the treble notes (8000 Hz).

On the left side of the graph there are numbers from -10 to 110. These numbers (measured in dB) represent the intensity (loudness) of the sound presented.

Your audiologist is interested in how loud the sound has to be before your child responds. Put another way, your audiologist is measuring the softest sound your child can hear. The softest level at which your child can hear a sound is called the threshold.

Meaning of the symbols on the graph

The symbols represent the quietest level your child responded to at each frequency (pitch) during the hearing test.

• Xs are the responses for the left ear
• Os are the responses for the right ear
• Ss are the responses through the speakers. This provides information about how well your child hears when listening with both ears, or about the better-hearing ear, if the ears don’t hear the same

Definition of normal hearing

The range for normal hearing is defined as hearing thresholds of -10 to 15 dB at all frequencies (0 to 20 dB when testing babies through the speakers).

Categories of hearing loss by severity

Most children have hearing loss in more than one category. For example, your child might have better hearing in the low pitches than the high pitches. If this is the case, we might describe hearing loss as falling under more than one category (e.g. a mild to moderately severe hearing loss).