Audiology CH 8: navigating the audiogram

What does intensity measure and how do we perceive it?

Intensity= sound pressure (dB HL)

We hear it as loudness

What is audio metric zero (0 dB HL)

The softest sound normal hearing people can hear at each frequency

Symbol for the right ear air conduction (unmasked)

O

Symbol for left eat air conduction (unmasked)

X

Symbols for bone conduction (unmasked)

< = right ear

> = left ear

What does a downward arrow mean on a symbol?

No response at maximum equipment output

What does “S” stand for?

Sound field testing

What symbols mean hearing aids or implants were used?

A = aided, AR = right aid, AL = left aid, CI = cochlear implant.

How do you identify a conductive hearing loss?

Air thresholds bad (>15 dB HL), bone thresholds normal → air–bone gap present.

How do you identify a sensorineural hearing loss?

Both air and bone thresholds abnormal and equal → no gap.

How do you identify a mixed hearing loss?

Both air and bone abnormal, but air worse → air–bone gap present + bone loss.

What is a flat hearing loss?

All frequencies equally affected.

What is an asymmetrical loss?

One ear worse than the other.

What is a unilateral loss?

Only one ear has loss.

What is high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HF SNHL)?

Hearing normal at low frequencies but worse at high frequencies (3k–8k Hz).

What is a cookie bite loss

Mid-frequency loss with better low and high frequencies.

What is a noise notch?

Dip at 3–6k Hz, usually from loud noise, with recovery at 8k Hz.

What is a reverse curve (upward slope)

Low frequencies worse, high frequencies better.

What is a ski slope loss?

Rapid drop at high frequencies, normal at low ones.