Hearing is graphed on an audiogram. An audiogram shows the softest sounds you can hear across a range of frequencies. The audiogram shows frequencies across the top, with low to high frequencies going from left to right along the top of the graph. Decibels, or loudness of the sound, are laid out along the side of the audiogram with soft sounds on the top of the graph to loud sounds on the bottom.
During your evaluation, the audiologist indicates the softest sound you heard at each frequency on the audiogram (the X represents the left ear and the O represents the right ear) therefore showing your hearing sensitivity.
Hearing is not measured in terms of percentages. Instead, using the given thresholds, we describe hearing loss in terms of severity: normal (0-20dB), mild (21-40dB), moderate (41-60dB), severe (61-80dB) or profound (80+dB).
The audiologist will use your thresholds to determine whether you are a hearing aid candidate, and if you are what hearing aid would be most appropriate for your hearing loss and hearing needs.
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