Audiograms & Hearing Loss
Note:
A short video on how to read an audiogram
A short video on how to read an audiogram
Learning to read an audiogram
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Normal Hearing Audiogram
· Frequency (Hz) - Is the amount of vibrations that occur in a single second. Frequency relates to pitch and is measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the frequency, the shriller the sound; the lower the frequency, the deeper the sound.
· Intensity (dB) - Is the pressure of sounds, both high and low. Intensity relates to loudness and is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibels, the louder the sound; the lower the decibels, the softer the sound.
Hertz: The unit to depict frequency. Specifically revelations per second.
Decibel: Used to measure the intensity of a sound.
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On an audiogram, an individual can hear everything BELOW the blue/red line. On this particular audiogram, the individual can hear everything in the tan color, but not the white.
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This audiogram depicts the ranges of sounds individuals can hear at certain decibels and frequencies.
Pure-tone audiometry
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Pure-tone Audiometry: Consists of two parts that measure two different parts of the ear. The air conduction tests the outer and middle ear, while the bone conduction tests the inner ears hearing capabilities. This is one of the most common ways to gauge hearing loss in individuals.
<-- This is the bone conduction sign for the left ear on an actual audiogram.
<-- This is the air conduction sign for the left ear on an actual audiogram.
· Air conduction is measured in either O (Right) or X (Left) depending on the ear.
· Bone conduction is measured using greater than and less than signs depending on the ear.
<-- This is the bone conduction sign for the left ear on an actual audiogram.
<-- This is the air conduction sign for the left ear on an actual audiogram.
· Air conduction is measured in either O (Right) or X (Left) depending on the ear.
· Bone conduction is measured using greater than and less than signs depending on the ear.
types of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive Loss: A conductive loss is the type of hearing loss associated with the outer or middle ear. This hearing loss can only be a viable option when the inner ear is functioning normally. With a conductive loss, there is a problem with sound conduction and not perception.
*Note: Notice how the bone conduction stays around normal hearing range as compared to the air conduction. The inner ear is completely fine as indicated by the bone conduction on the audiogram, while the air conduction is having difficulties getting through to reach the inner ear. This indicates that there is a conductive loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural Loss: A sensorineural loss is the type of hearing loss associated with the inner ear or along the auditory nerve pathway to the brain. This hearing loss can only be a viable option when outer and middle ear are functioning normally. With a sensorineural loss, there is a problem with sound perception and not conduction.
*Note: Notice how the bone conduction follows the air conduction. The sounds emitted by the air conduction is making it all the way through the outer and middle ear, but is hitting a block when it reaches the inner ear. The bone conduction (which measures the inner ear directly) is also dipping off just as the air conduction. This indicates that there is a problem in the inner ear.
mixed hearing loss
Mixed Loss: A mixed loss is the type of hearing loss associated with a mixture of a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. There may be damage in the outer or middle ear AND in the inner ear.
*Note: Notice how both the air conduction and the bone conduction both fall well below the range of normal hearing. This indicates that there is both a conductive loss (problem in the outer or middle ear) and a sensorineural loss (problem in the inner ear).
Other types of hearing loss
1.
Functional
or Nonorganic hearing loss: This type of loss tends to be psychological as
a result of trauma, it lacks any organic
lesion.
2. Malingering: Summed up, this hearing loss is a functional loss that the individual fakes. Sometimes individuals will fake hearing loss for various reasons, such as: wanting to be part of the Deaf community, emotional stress, or other various reasons.
2. Malingering: Summed up, this hearing loss is a functional loss that the individual fakes. Sometimes individuals will fake hearing loss for various reasons, such as: wanting to be part of the Deaf community, emotional stress, or other various reasons.
Definitions
1. Unilateral loss: Hearing loss in just one ear. Students tend to do fine with this type of loss and can sometimes go unnoticed until the 3rd and 4th grade when they start having trouble with reading.
2. Bilateral loss: A hearing loss that occurs simultaneously in both ears.
3. Prelingual loss: A hearing loss that occurs before the development of spoken language.
4. Postlingual loss: A hearing loss that occurs after the development of spoken language.
5. Congenital loss: A hearing loss that is present at birth.
6. Adventitious loss: A hearing loss that occurs after birth.
2. Bilateral loss: A hearing loss that occurs simultaneously in both ears.
3. Prelingual loss: A hearing loss that occurs before the development of spoken language.
4. Postlingual loss: A hearing loss that occurs after the development of spoken language.
5. Congenital loss: A hearing loss that is present at birth.
6. Adventitious loss: A hearing loss that occurs after birth.
_Austin, E. (2013, August). The World of Deafness-Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, EDSP 426. Radford University.
Schirmer, B. R. (2000). Psychological, Social, and Educational Dimensions of Deafness. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon.
Schirmer, B. R. (2000). Psychological, Social, and Educational Dimensions of Deafness. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon.