Introduction

If you’ve ever visited a hearing clinic, you’ve probably heard the term audiometry. It’s one of the most important tests used by audiologists to evaluate hearing ability and diagnose hearing loss.

However, many people leave the clinic with an audiogram in hand and still wonder:

What is audiometry?
What do the numbers on my hearing test mean?
What is an audiogram?
Do I need a hearing aid based on my results?
What type of hearing loss do I have?

Understanding your hearing test results can help you make informed decisions about your hearing health and treatment options.

In this guide, we’ll explain what audiometry is, how the test works, how to read an audiogram, what different hearing loss levels mean, and what your results may indicate.

What Is Audiometry?

Audiometry is a hearing assessment that measures how well you hear sounds of different frequencies (pitches) and volumes (loudness levels).

The test helps audiologists determine:

Whether hearing loss is present
The severity of hearing loss
The type of hearing loss
Whether one or both ears are affected
The most appropriate treatment options

Audiometry is considered the gold standard for diagnosing hearing loss.

Why Is Audiometry Performed?

Your audiologist may recommend audiometry if you experience:

Difficulty understanding conversations
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Increased TV or mobile volume
Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
Suspected hearing loss
Ear infections or ear-related conditions

Regular hearing testing is especially important for older adults because hearing loss often develops gradually.

What Happens During an Audiometry Test?

The test is simple, painless, and usually takes around 20–30 minutes.

Step 1: You Wear Headphones

You’ll sit in a quiet room wearing specialized headphones.

Step 2: Listen for Tones

You’ll hear sounds at different:

Frequencies (pitch)
Volumes (loudness)

Each time you hear a sound, you’ll press a button or raise your hand.

Step 3: Speech Testing

You may also be asked to repeat:

Words
Numbers
Sentences

This helps assess speech understanding.

Step 4: Additional Tests

Depending on your symptoms, the audiologist may perform:

Tympanometry
Bone conduction testing
Speech audiometry
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

What Is an Audiogram?

The results of your hearing test are displayed on a graph called an audiogram.

An audiogram shows:

The softest sounds you can hear
Different sound frequencies
Hearing ability in each ear

Think of it as a visual map of your hearing.

Understanding the Audiogram

Horizontal Axis (Frequency)

The horizontal line represents frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Frequency	Common Sounds
250 Hz	Deep voices
500 Hz	Vowel sounds
1000 Hz	Everyday speech
2000 Hz	Speech clarity
4000 Hz	Consonants
8000 Hz	High-pitched sounds

Higher frequencies affect understanding of speech sounds such as:

Vertical Axis (Hearing Level)

The vertical line represents loudness measured in decibels (dB HL).

The farther down the graph, the louder the sound must be before you can hear it.

How Hearing Loss Is Classified

Audiologists classify hearing loss based on your hearing threshold.

Hearing Level	Threshold
Normal Hearing	0–25 dB
Mild Hearing Loss	26–40 dB
Moderate Hearing Loss	41–55 dB
Moderately Severe Hearing Loss	56–70 dB
Severe Hearing Loss	71–90 dB
Profound Hearing Loss	91+ dB

What Does Mild Hearing Loss Mean?

People with mild hearing loss may struggle with:

Soft speech
Conversations in noise
Group discussions

Common symptoms include:

Asking others to repeat themselves
Missing parts of conversations

What Does Moderate Hearing Loss Mean?

Moderate hearing loss often affects everyday communication.

Common challenges include:

Difficulty hearing normal conversation
Trouble on phone calls
Problems understanding speech in public places

Many people with moderate hearing loss benefit significantly from hearing aids.

What Does Severe Hearing Loss Mean?

Severe hearing loss makes communication difficult without amplification.

People may struggle to hear:

Normal speech
Doorbells
Telephones
Television audio

Powerful hearing aids are often recommended.

Types of Hearing Loss

Audiometry helps identify the type of hearing loss present.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Occurs when sound cannot efficiently travel through the outer or middle ear.

Common Causes

Earwax blockage
Ear infections
Fluid behind the eardrum
Middle ear disorders

In many cases, conductive hearing loss can be medically treated.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is the most common form of hearing loss.

It occurs when:

Inner ear hair cells are damaged
The hearing nerve is affected

Common Causes

Aging
Noise exposure
Genetics
Certain medications

Sensorineural hearing loss is often managed with hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A combination of:

Conductive hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

What Is Speech Audiometry?

Pure tone testing measures hearing sensitivity, but speech audiometry evaluates how well you understand spoken words.

It Measures

Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT)
Word Recognition Score (WRS)

These results help determine how hearing loss affects communication.

Do You Need a Hearing Aid Based on Audiometry?

Not everyone who has hearing loss needs a hearing aid immediately.

Audiologists consider:

Hearing test results
Communication difficulties
Lifestyle needs
Speech understanding

Generally, hearing aids may be recommended when hearing loss begins affecting daily communication.

What Research Says

Hearing loss often develops gradually, making regular hearing assessments important.

World Report on Hearing

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that early identification and treatment of hearing loss can significantly improve communication outcomes and quality of life.

Key Findings

Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes
Hearing intervention improves communication
Untreated hearing loss can affect social participation

The report emphasizes the importance of regular hearing evaluations, especially for older adults.

Expert Advice from Audiologist Krishna Jain

According to Krishna Jain, Audiologist at HearWave, many people focus only on whether they “passed” or “failed” a hearing test.

“An audiogram tells us much more than whether hearing loss is present. It helps us understand the type, degree, and pattern of hearing loss so we can recommend the most appropriate treatment.”

Krishna Jain recommends regular hearing assessments for adults who notice changes in communication or hearing ability.

Common Misunderstandings About Hearing Tests

Myth #1: Hearing Tests Are Painful

False.

Audiometry is completely painless.

Myth #2: Hearing Loss Only Affects Older Adults

False.

Hearing loss can occur at any age.

Myth #3: If I Can Hear Some Sounds, My Hearing Is Fine

False.

Many people hear sounds but struggle to understand speech clearly.

When Should You Get a Hearing Test?

Consider a hearing evaluation if you:

Frequently ask people to repeat themselves

Increase TV volume regularly

Have ringing in the ears

Struggle in noisy environments

Are over 50 years old

Have been exposed to loud noise

Final Verdict

Audiometry is the most important tool for evaluating hearing health and understanding hearing loss.

A hearing test provides valuable information about:

Hearing sensitivity
Speech understanding
Hearing loss severity
Treatment options

Understanding your audiogram can help you make informed decisions about hearing care and determine whether hearing aids or other treatments may be beneficial.

At HearWave, our hearing care experts provide comprehensive audiometry testing, hearing assessments, and personalized hearing care solutions to help patients better understand and manage their hearing health.

Visit https://hearwave.in/ to book your hearing test today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)