audiogram

Audiogram is a concept that is used in the field of acoustics and in the medicine. The term is formed with the union of the compositional elements Audio- (referring to the hearing or to sound) and -grama (linked to a graphic or to written).

The audiogram is called the curve that exhibits the acuity level what does a person have for perception of sounds. This graphical record therefore reveals the hearing threshold of the subject at different frequencies.

An audiogram allows to appreciate the level of acuity that an individual has to perceive sounds.

Development of an audiogram

An audiogram can be said to offer a description of hearing ability. It is important to mention that it is known as hearing threshold to the sound range that someone can hear: sounds that do not fall into that range are therefore inaudible.

What the audiogram does is graph the results of a hearing test. By analyzing their results, a doctor is in a position to establish whether the patient suffers from hearing loss and, when such a problem is detected, estimate their gravity.

For the development of the audiogram, a audiometry. This is the name of the study that measures hearing acuity with respect to different sound frequencies. The apparatus used to perform audiometry is called audimeter.

The audimeters emit sounds at various intensities and frequencies. Upon hearing each sound, the patient must press a button. Those responses are recorded by the audimeter and make the creation of the audiogram possible.

By looking at an audiogram, a specialist can tell if a person needs hearing aids to hear better.

Chart utility

The audiogram, in short, represents hearing acuity through a curve. A trained professional is in a position to observe the graph and evaluate the eventual hearing loss of the subject, noting if the loss is global or if it is associated with some type of particular frequency (high or low).

Thanks to the audiogram, it is also possible to define the degree of hearing loss. Depending on the results, the expert may suggest the use of earphones to alleviate disability.

It is interesting to mention that the first audiograms were carried out in the decade of 1920. Beyond the advances of the technology, the representation of the results remains similar to that of then.

Interpretation of an audiogram

An audiogram is captured in two axles. The horizontal axis represents the frequency of the sound, expressed in hertz (Hz). As you move to the right, the frequency increases.

The vertical axis, meanwhile, shows the intensity (the volume) of sound, measured in decibels (dB). In this case, if you go down the axis, the volume increases. Thus, in the upper area of ​​the axis, the softest sounds appear.

In the audiogram, on the other hand, the color is often used Red and the symbol OR to mark the results of the right ear, while the records of the left ear are written with X and in blue. The observation of the red and blue curves shows the hearing threshold of each hearing.

Beyond these indications, the audiogram should be analyzed by an expert, who based on their knowledge will offer a diagnosis and will comment on the steps to follow.