Understanding Audiograms

An audiogram is a graphical display of a person’s hearing ability. The two main components are frequency and intensity. 

audiogram, how to read an audiogram, hearing loss

Frequency (or pitch) is measured in Hertz (Hz), and it ranges from low-pitch to high-pitch.

Intensity is measured in decibels (dB), and shows how loud or soft a sound is. The softest intensity tested is usually 0 dB and the loudest is 120 dB.

Each mark on an individual’s audiogram represents the softest sounds they could hear at a certain frequency. Hearing loss is classified from normal to profound at a certain frequency. This classification is determined by the hearing threshold (or the softest a sound heard at a specific frequency).