A Plain-Language Guide to Understanding Your Audiogram

If you have had a hearing assessment, you may have been shown a chart called an audiogram. At first glance it can look a little technical, but it is really just a friendly picture of how you heard different sounds on the day. Understanding the basics can help you feel informed. Your audiologist can explain it in plain terms, and there is no need to feel put off by the technical look of it.

This is a general, plain-language guide to what an audiogram is and what it shows. Your audiologist is always a suitable person to explain your own results, as they can talk you through what your particular chart means for you and answer any questions in a way that suits you. Consider this a gentle introduction to help you feel prepared and at ease. A friendly explanation is part of understanding audiogram results. As a Brisbane hearing clinic, our audiologists and audiometrists help people across Brisbane, Logan and the wider community in Australia. You are always welcome to get in touch.

What an audiogram is

An audiogram is a simple graph that records how you responded to a range of sounds during a hearing assessment. It gives your audiologist a snapshot of your hearing across different pitches and volumes, all in one place. It is a practical tool rather than anything to feel daunted by.

Think of it as a map rather than a test you can pass or fail. It is a tool that helps your audiologist understand your hearing and have an informed conversation with you about it. There is nothing intimidating about it once it is explained, and you are welcome to ask as many questions as you like.

How the audiogram chart is laid out

An audiogram generally has two directions to notice. Across the top, from left to right, the sounds move from low pitches to high pitches, much like moving along a piano keyboard from the deep notes to the higher ones. This layout helps show how you hear across the whole range of everyday sounds.

From top to bottom, the chart shows how soft or loud a sound needed to be for you to hear it. Sounds near the top are quieter, and sounds lower down are louder. Together, these two directions build a picture of your hearing that your audiologist can read and explain to you.

What the marks mean

You will usually see a series of marks or symbols plotted on the chart, often with separate symbols for each ear. These marks show the softest sounds you responded to at each pitch during your assessment. They are simply a way of recording what you heard on the day.

Your audiologist uses these marks to see the general shape of your hearing. Different patterns can tell them different things, which they will happily explain in everyday language so you understand what you are looking at. You are never expected to interpret the chart yourself.

Left and right ears on the audiogram

An audiogram usually records each ear separately, since it is common for the two ears to hear a little differently. This is completely normal and simply gives a more complete picture of your hearing overall. Recording each ear on its own is a routine and helpful part of the process.

Seeing each ear on its own helps your audiologist tailor any general information or suggestions to your individual hearing. It is one of the reasons the chart is such a useful tool for your conversation together, and it helps make sure the picture is as accurate as possible.

Making sense of your hearing pattern

The overall shape of the marks can help describe how you hear across different pitches. Some people hear certain pitches more readily than others, and the audiogram gently shows this without any need for technical knowledge on your part. The pattern is simply a starting point for a conversation.

Low pitches sit towards the left of the chart
High pitches sit towards the right
Quieter sounds are near the top
Louder sounds are lower down

Why understanding your audiogram helps

An audiogram gives your audiologist a clear reference point to talk through your hearing with you. It can support conversations about everyday listening and any general options that may suit you, all based on what your own hearing looks like. A clear picture supports these conversations.

It also provides a record that can be compared over time if you have future assessments. This helps your audiologist notice any changes and keep supporting you well as the years go by. Keeping a record is a simple but valuable part of looking after your hearing over the long term.

Talking through your results

The most valuable part of an audiogram is the conversation that goes with it. Your audiologist can explain what your chart shows and answer any questions in a relaxed, unhurried way, taking as much time as you need. The chart is only really useful alongside a friendly explanation.

You are always welcome to ask for things to be explained again or in a different way. You are welcome to ask as many questions as you like about your own results. By the end, you should have a sense of what your results show and feel informed.

If you would like to learn more, or to arrange a hearing appointment, you are welcome to get in touch with our friendly team. No referral is necessary, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

DISCLAIMER:

The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. We do not support, nor recommend any products or treatments without proper hearing diagnostic and proper hearing evaluation. All users must seek professional advice before beginning treatment as well as inform themselves of known side effects/risks associated with said procedure(s).

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and provided for educational purposes only. It does not take into account your individual circumstances and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified hearing health professional about your specific needs.

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