Audiograms and Hearing Loss

audiograms

an inverse graph that measures frequency vs intensity where normal hearing is at the top and deafness is at the bottom

frequency

what is the x-axis on an audiogram?

intensity

what is the y-axis on an audiogram?

air conduction

total or entire ear (outer, middle, and inner)

bone conduction

inner ear and beyond (bypasses outer and middle ear)

masked

using a competing noise in the non-test ear (to distract better ear)

allows testing of targeted ear only withouth interference

unmasked

no competing noise in the non-test ear

normal hearing

-10 to 25 dBs on an audiogram indicates what?

mild hearing loss

26-40 dBs on an audiogram indicates what?

moderate hearing loss

41-70 dBs on an audiogram indicates what?

severe hearing loss

71-90 dBs on an audiogram indicates what?

profound hearing loss

91-120 dBs on an audiogram indicates what?

types of hearing loss

includes conductive, sensorineural, and mixed

conductive hearing loss

hearing loss where there is a problem in the outer and middle ear

sensorineural hearing loss

hearing loss where there is a problem in the cochlea and/or VIII cranial nerve

mixed hearing loss

a type of hearing loss where both conductive and sensorineural are combined

could include outer and/or middle ear and cochlea and/or nerve

unilateral

one ear

bilateral

two ears

symmetrical

equal loss

asymmetrical

uneven losses

vibrotactile

feel the sound/not true hearing

auditory neuropathy

VIII cranial nerve involvement only

air conduction symbols

red circle, blue x, red triangle, and blue square

red circle

what symbol stands for right ear unmasked in air conduction on audiogram?

blue x

what symbol stands for left ear unmasked in air conduction on audiogram?

red triangle

what symbol stands for right ear masked in air conduction on audiogram?

blue square

what symbol stands for left ear masked in air conduction on audiogram?

bone conduction symbols

< > [ ]

red <

what symbol stands for right ear unmasked in bone conduction on audiogram?

blue >

what symbol stands for left ear unmasked in bone conduction on audiogram?

red [

what symbol stands for right ear masked in bone conduction on audiogram?

blue ]

what symbol stands for left ear masked in bone conduction on audiogram?

no response

if you have one of the audiology symbols but with an arrow attached what does that mean?

soundfield (speakers)

means both ears are working together so gives limited information about each ear

S on audiogram

can be aided or unaided

when aided, an R is added when aided with right ear only, an L is added when aided with left ear only, and CI when cochlear implant is implemented

below

where is auditory access on an audiogram?