Reading the results of a hearing test can be confusing unless you know how hearing is measured and what those measurements represent. Keep reading to learn more about how to read the results of a hearing test.
Your Hearing Health
Knowing how to interpret the results of a hearing test will help you make informed decisions about your hearing. An experienced hearing professional should not leave it up to you to figure out your results, they should explain them to you and answer any questions you have along the way. However, not all hearing professionals can translate their knowledge constructively.
The Audiogram (Hearing Test) Deconstructed
An audiogram is the visual representation of an audiometry hearing test that is administered by a hearing professional or audiologist. The test measures potential hearing loss by emitting sounds, either through headphones or a speaker, to see what the patient can and cannot hear. The sounds are marked down a chart with a Y-axis, and an X-axis.
The Y-axis (vertical line on the chart) measures decibels (db) which refer to the loudness or intensity of the sound. The X-axis (horizontal line on the chart) measures hertz (Hz), the frequency or pitch of the sound. Your hearing will fall into one of four categories from marking what you can and cannot hear on the chart.
Depending on where your measurements lie on the audiogram, the category of your hearing will be represented.
A steady line connecting your threshold levels at the top would indicate “normal” hearing. A line with rises and drops across the chart would indicate hearing loss for particular frequencies (X-axis). A line at the lower part of the chart would represent profound hearing loss.
Hearing Loss is Common
Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing. Because there is a stigma attached to hearing loss, that percentage may be closer to 20%.
When your hearing measures in the 25-50 db range, you need some help with improving your hearing. This range usually indicates that you can hear what people are saying, but you don’t understand it. You may be missing out on important consonant sounds when you hear at this level, and regular conversation sounds like mumbling to you.
Hearing measurements below the 50 db level may indicate profound hearing problems. Someone with profound hearing loss does not hear or understand conversational speech. If you need to raise your voice loudly to speak to them, this may be a sign that their hearing is extremely poor.
Having a hearing professional or audiologist administer your audiogram is important because these professionals know how to interpret the information gathered from your test. You may believe that you have a hearing problem, but trying to treat it yourself is not the answer.
Trust The Hearing Professionals
The Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 required the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to categorize certain hearing aids as “over-the-counter” hearing aids and issue some regulations regarding those hearing aids. You may be thinking, “Great! I can just go get my own hearing aid if I think that my hearing is not what it should be.” This is not a good idea.
This bill was drafted and put into place by government officials who have zero training or education in the medical hearing field. The language in the bill states “perceived mild to moderate hearing loss” as the backbone for treating the hearing loss yourself. Would you treat an injury or issue with another part of your body on your own without medical intervention? No.
Having an evaluation by a hearing professional or audiologist is imperative to treating any form of hearing loss. These are the experts in preventing, diagnosing, and treating hearing issues for people of all ages. Trusting your hearing to a hearing professional is the only way to ensure you’re getting the care you need.
The team at Hearing Solution Centers will take the time to review and explain your hearing test results with you. They will make sure you understand the complexity of your hearing and what the numbers on your audiogram represent.
Reach out to Hearing Solution Centers today to schedule your hearing test!