What Will an Audiogram Reveal About Your Hearing?

When you see an audiologist for a check-up, one of the most crucial tools they use to evaluate your hearing is an audiogram.Although it can initially appear to be just a chart with dots and lines, it offers a comprehensive view of your hearing health. An audiogram can reveal the kind and severity of your hearing loss as well as how well you hear certain sounds.
At Aanvii Hearing, we use audiograms every day to diagnose
hearing concerns and guide patients toward the right treatment. Understanding
what an audiogram reveals can help you feel more confident during your hearing test.
What Exactly Is an Audiogram?
You might think of an audiogram as a visual record of your
hearing capacity. During the test,
you’ll wear headphones and listen to a range of sounds at different pitches
(low to high) and loudness levels (soft to loud). Each time you hear a tone,
you respond, and the quietest sounds you detect are plotted on the chart.
The horizontal line of the audiogram shows pitch or
frequency, moving from deep bass sounds to sharp, high-pitched tones.
The vertical line represents loudness in decibels (dB), from
very soft sounds at the top to very loud ones at the bottom.
Combined, these findings provide a map of your
susceptibility to various sound levels.
Also Read: Encouraging Children to Wear Hearing Aids with Confidence
Where Hearing Loss Is Happening?
One of the most important things an audiogram can tell is
which part of the ear is affected. The ear has three sections:
·
Outer ear: the ear canal and eardrum.
·
Middle ear: the tiny bones that carry vibrations
further inside.
·
Inner ear: the cochlea and auditory nerve, which
send sound signals to the brain.
Depending on your results, the audiologist can identify
whether the issue lies in the outer/middle ear (often treatable), or in the
inner ear or nerve (which usually requires hearing aids or long-term
management).
The Type of Hearing Loss:
Your audiogram also shows what kind of hearing loss you
have:
· Conductive Hearing Loss
Happens when sound cannot travel properly through the outer
or middle ear. Causes may include earwax blockage, fluid buildup, infections,
or damage to the eardrum. This kind can occasionally be treated medically and
is frequently transient.
· Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. It’s the most common form of permanent hearing loss, often linked to aging or long-term noise exposure. In most cases, digital hearing aids are the best solution.
· Mixed Hearing Loss
A combination of conductive and sensorineural issues.
Treatment may involve both medical care and hearing devices.
Knowing the type of hearing loss ensures you get the right
solution rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Severe Is the Hearing Loss?
An audiogram also indicates the degree of hearing loss by
showing the faintest sounds you can hear at each frequency. The levels are
generally classified as:
Normal hearing
Mild hearing loss
Moderate hearing loss
Severe hearing loss
Profound hearing loss
This scale helps your audiologist decide whether you need a
small, discreet hearing aid or a more powerful model that provides stronger
amplification.
Why Is an Audiogram so Valuable?
The audiogram is more than just a test result—it is the
foundation for your treatment plan. Here’s why it matters:
Tracks your hearing over time: A baseline audiogram allows
future tests to be compared, making it easy to spot changes.
Guides treatment decisions: Identifies if you need medical
treatment, hearing aids, or both.
Provides clarity: Helps you understand your exact hearing
ability instead of relying on guesswork.
Supports better outcomes: With accurate information, your
audiologist can recommend the right device or therapy to keep you connected to
the world around you.
Also Read: Using Hearing Aids in Different Environmental Settings
What Happens After the Test?
After completing the hearing test, your audiologist at
Aanvii Hearing will:
·
Explain your audiogram results in simple
language.
·
Point out which sounds or speech ranges are most
affected.
·
Suggest treatment options, including advanced
Signia hearing aids if required.
·
Offer preventive advice to protect your hearing
in the future.
This discussion ensures that you fully understand your
hearing health and feel confident about the next steps.
An audiogram is a simple yet powerful method that shows you
where, what type, and how severe your hearing loss is. Together with your
audiologist, it gives you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions
about your hearing care. You may prevent hearing loss from lowering your
quality of life by scheduling regular hearing exams and reviewing your
audiogram to spot changes early and take appropriate action.
Book a Free Hearing Test & Trial at Aanvii Hearing
At Aanvii Hearing, we specialize in complete hearing
evaluations and tailor-made solutions, including the latest Signia digital
hearing aids, to match your lifestyle and needs. Call 96 5839 5839 or visiting