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Audiometry - Results

Alternative Names

Audiometry; Hearing test; Audiography (audiogram)

Normal Values:

The ability to hear a whisper, normal speech, and a ticking watch is normal.
The ability to hear a tuning fork through air and bone is normal.
In detailed audiometry, hearing is normal if you can hear tones from 250 Hz - 8,000 Hz at 25 dB or lower.

What abnormal results mean:

There are many different kinds and degrees of hearing loss. In some types, you only lose the ability to hear high or low tones, or you lose only air or bone conduction. The inability to hear pure tones below 25 dB indicates some hearing loss.

The amount and type of hearing loss may give clues to the cause and outlook.

The following conditions may affect test results:

Acoustic neuroma
Acoustic trauma
Age-related hearing loss
Alport syndrome
Labyrinthitis
Meniere's disease
Occupational hearing loss
Otosclerosis
Ruptured or perforated eardrum

Ear anatomy

Reviewed last on: 8/3/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kileny PR, Zwolan TA. Diagnostic audiology. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 133.

Norton SJ, Bhama PK, Perkins JA. Early detection and diagnosis of infant hearing impairment. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 190.

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