What is a (sound) audiogram?
A sound audiogram is a graphical detailed representation of your hearing. The representation is in the form of a hearing curve. Through this measurement, the reason for your hearing loss can be determined. The same applies, of course, to any hearing loss you may have. The test is simple and quick. With this check you can have your hearing checked either at the ear, nose and throat doctor or at an acoustician.
On the subject of hearing tests and audiograms, we have put together a useful guide for you. You will learn what an audiogram really is and how it is created. We explain what the acoustician or doctor can read from your results. If you would like to have your hearing checked, you can take a hearing test at any time. You have come to the right place. You are welcome to make an appointment with us in your area. A hearing test is offered by us free of charge.
The term audiogram
In the hearing test or audiogram, different frequencies and hearing thresholds are recorded from you. The hearing threshold is the range at which you can just perceive sounds. A form is prepared for this purpose. The pitch horizontally means the frequency in Hz, and the vertical recordings mean the loudness in decibels.
The hearing threshold of a normal hearing teenager means the zero line in the sound audiogram. Two different values are taken during testing. On the one hand, air conduction is measured, so sound moves through the air from your outer tube to the middle ear and then to the inner ear. That's actually what you mean by hearing. You may not even know that there is additional bone conduction. This is how vibrations reach your inner ear through the top of your skull. Normally, the sound is superimposed by the air conduction. However, damage can occur. In this case, your hearing aid can be precisely adjusted to use your bone conduction. This results in an amplification of the sound and sound. However, with bone conduction, a higher volume is necessary.
How is an audiogram made?
In the audiogram test, you get headphones. You put these on. Your acoustician or doctor plays individual sounds for you. With healthy ears, you can normally perceive frequencies of 1000 Hz. The levels increase in steps of 5 dB each. As soon as you can hear something, you give a signal. After that, other frequencies are tested. Your hearing threshold will be marked.
This test is done on both ears, of course. Afterwards, you will be fitted with a special bone conduction earpiece. This earpiece sits directly on your skull bone. With it, the bone conduction measurement takes place. The hearing threshold points are connected to the hearing threshold curves. The air conduction is sort of compared to the bone conduction in terms of performance.
The interpretation and statement of an audiogram
A sound audiogram can be used to differentiate different hearing impairments. As mentioned above, there is air conduction. In this conduction, sound enters the middle ear from the outside and then travels to the inner ear. Bone conduction works quite differently. In bone conduction, the sound signals travel through your skull's cochlea and into your brain.
It may be that you can perceive sounds well via bone conduction, but have problems with sounds via air conduction. Then the expert or specialist speaks of a sound conduction disorder. The reasons for a conductive disorder can be very diverse. Perhaps the sound is obstructed on its way from the outer ear to the inner ear. Perhaps there is a foreign body in your ear canal. This could be an effusion in your middle ear. Or maybe there is a problem with your ossicles. Your ear, nose and throat doctor can tell you the cause. A conductive hearing loss can be treated relatively easily. In any case, a hearing aid can help you. We will be happy to advise you competently and service-oriented.
If, on the other hand, you have a sensorineural hearing loss, this originates in the inner ear or in the nerves. The hearing curve then runs both in the sound audiogram for the bone, as well as for the air conduction exactly the same and parallel, so to speak. The individual hearing thresholds are fundamentally different from normal hearing.
With the sound sensation disorder, you can hear higher frequencies very poorly. At higher frequencies and higher tones, you need a louder volume until the hearing threshold can be indicated. Therefore, in the high-frequency range, your hearing threshold curves drop. This symptom is typical of age-related hearing loss. Medication or surgery will not help with sensorineural hearing loss. However, a hearing aid can mitigate the loss of function of your inner ear.
Modern hearing aids of today give you the option to continue to be an active participant in life. You won't miss out on conversations and you can have normal individual conversations. A good fitting consultation for your hearing aid is a prerequisite for this. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. With us, you will find a suitable hearing aid acoustician for your needs.