How to Read Your Audiogram: A Plain-Language Guide
If you've recently had a hearing test, chances are you were handed a chart called an audiogram. For many people, it looks more like a graph from a math class than something related to hearing.
The good news? Reading an audiogram is much simpler than it appears.
Understanding your audiogram can help you better communicate with your hearing care provider, understand the extent of your hearing loss, and make informed decisions about hearing aids or treatment options.
What Is an Audiogram?
An audiogram is a visual chart that displays the results of a hearing test. It measures the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches (frequencies).
Think of it as a map of your hearing ability.
The chart helps hearing specialists determine:
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Whether you have hearing loss
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How severe your hearing loss is
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Which frequencies are affected
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Whether hearing aids may help
Understanding the Audiogram Axes
Frequency (Pitch)
The horizontal axis shows frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Lower frequencies are on the left side:
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250 Hz
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500 Hz
Higher frequencies are on the right side:
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4,000 Hz
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8,000 Hz
Low-frequency sounds include:
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Thunder
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Drums
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Deep voices
High-frequency sounds include:
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Birds chirping
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Children's voices
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Consonants such as "s," "f," and "th"
Hearing Level (Volume)
The vertical axis shows hearing level in decibels (dB).
The top of the chart represents very soft sounds.
The lower you go on the chart, the louder a sound must be before you can hear it.
A person with normal hearing can detect many sounds between 0 and 25 dB.
What Do the Symbols Mean?
Most audiograms use standard symbols:
Right Ear
O = Right ear air conduction
Left Ear
X = Left ear air conduction
Additional symbols may indicate:
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Bone conduction testing
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Masked testing
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Specialized evaluations
Your hearing care professional can explain any symbols unique to your test.
Hearing Loss Categories
Audiologists generally classify hearing loss into the following categories:
Normal Hearing
0–25 dB
You can hear most speech sounds without difficulty.
Mild Hearing Loss
26–40 dB
You may miss soft speech or struggle in noisy environments.
Moderate Hearing Loss
41–55 dB
Conversations become harder to follow without amplification.
Moderately Severe Hearing Loss
56–70 dB
You may frequently ask others to repeat themselves.
Severe Hearing Loss
71–90 dB
Speech understanding becomes significantly limited without assistance.
Profound Hearing Loss
91 dB and above
Even very loud sounds may be difficult to hear.
Why High Frequencies Matter
Many people develop hearing loss first in the higher frequencies.
This can make speech sound unclear even when voices seem loud enough.
You may hear someone speaking but struggle to understand what they're saying.
Common complaints include:
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"People are mumbling."
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"I hear voices but can't make out the words."
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"I struggle in restaurants and group conversations."
These challenges often appear on an audiogram as a downward slope toward higher frequencies.
What Your Audiogram Means for Hearing Aids
Your audiogram helps hearing specialists program hearing aids specifically for your hearing needs.
Modern hearing aids can:
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Amplify only the frequencies you need help hearing
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Improve speech clarity
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Reduce background noise
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Stream audio directly from smartphones and televisions
Because every audiogram is unique, hearing aid settings should be personalized rather than generic.
Questions to Ask Your Hearing Provider
After reviewing your audiogram, consider asking:
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What type of hearing loss do I have?
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Is my hearing loss likely to progress?
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Would hearing aids improve my hearing?
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Which hearing aid styles are appropriate for my needs?
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Should I schedule regular hearing evaluations?
When Should You Have Your Hearing Checked?
Adults should consider a hearing evaluation if they experience:
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Difficulty understanding conversations
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Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
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Turning up the TV volume
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Trouble hearing in noisy places
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Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Early detection often leads to better outcomes and easier adaptation to hearing aids when needed.
Final Thoughts
Your audiogram is more than a collection of numbers and symbols—it's a snapshot of your hearing health. Understanding how to read it empowers you to take an active role in your hearing care journey.
If you've recently had a hearing test and aren't sure what your audiogram means, the hearing care professionals at Hearing Corp can help explain your results and discuss the options available to improve your hearing and quality of life.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-loss/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Johns Hopkins Medicine
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hearing-loss