Decoding the Hearing Test: What Do the Results Mean?

If you notice symptoms of hearing loss, the first step is to schedule an initial visit with an audiologist to perform a comprehensive exam to determine whether hearing loss is present. Although the audiologist will read your hearing tests on your behalf and let you know whether or not you require hearing aids, it is helpful if you understand how to decode hearing tests yourself. Here is everything you need to know about hearing tests and what the results mean.

How Does a Hearing Test Work?

First, it is important to understand how a hearing test works. You will attend an appointment with an audiologist who will conduct various listening activities with you. One of the most common activities is sitting in a quiet booth with a headset on and pressing buttons when you hear various noises.

Your audiologist will play different noises including different tones, pitches and volumes. Whenever you hear a sound through the headset you must press the button to let the audiologist know that you have heard it. These results will then be added to a graph which will allow your audiologist to understand whether you are experiencing no hearing loss, mild hearing loss or profound hearing loss.

What Do the Graph Results Represent?

When your test results are added to a graph, it will let your audiologist know what type of hearing loss you are dealing with. There will be various points detected on the graph to signify what noises, pitches and volumes you can hear. The Y line of the audio graph, which represents the volume of the noise, will allow the audiologist to become aware whether you can hear these frequencies.

The X line on the graph depicts the pitches and tones you’ve been exposed to, revealing the severity of your hearing loss. If your results cluster high on the graph with all points reaching the highest levels, it may indicate minimal or mild hearing loss. Conversely, if your hearing results indicate infrequent detection of sounds or the ability to perceive only a limited range, this suggests moderate to severe hearing loss.

You will see various circles and crosses on the graph which indicate what sounds you could and couldn’t hear. From these circles and crosses, your audiologist will understand what treatment to provide.

What Do the Results Mean from Your Hearing Test?

The test will conduct a thorough hearing health assessment and make the audiologist aware of what type of hearing loss you are dealing with. There are various types of hearing loss which depend on which part of the ear has been affected. Sensorineural, hearing loss involves losing the hearing of the inner ear. When you lose the sound in the middle or external part of the ear, this is called conductive hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss is when both of these types of hearing loss occur at the same time.

When you see various lines on your audio graph, this is when you are experiencing moderate hearing loss or above, depending on the type of loss and the test results. Your audiologist will be able to discuss these results providing the best solution.

If you have steady lines, this means that you are experiencing no or mild hearing loss. The study line represents that you are hearing pretty well, which means that you will likely not need hearing aids to improve your hearing. If the lines are steadily moving up and down throughout the graph, then this can show that you are not being able to hear certain frequencies or volumes. Lines that steep down fast represent age-related hearing loss, which can mean it is going to worsen over time and might already be mild or moderate.

If your line is very low down on the audiogram, then this can represent that you are experiencing severe hearing loss as it means that you are not being able to hear many of volumes or pitches at all throughout your hearing test.

The Next Steps

Once you and your audiologist conduct the hearing health assessment and view the results, the next step will be treatment plans based on the specific needs of your hearing. Your audiologist will discuss the three main styles like in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC), each offering different benefits for different levels of hearing loss.

There are various types of hearing aids available depending on your severity or hearing loss. Your audiologist will offer you various hearing aids to try and test depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and budget. If you want to learn more about our comprehensive hearing tests, reach out to Alliance Center for Hearing, call us today at (701) 401-9719.