Clear Sound Distribution: Understanding Your Recent Hospital Hearing Graph

Have you ever felt confused by the red circles and blue crosses on the hearing chart you just received from the hospital? Do you know your current level of hearing? Are you at risk of missing the golden window for treatment or selecting the right assistive device?

If you read this article, you will be able to understand a pure-tone hearing graph or noise-free hearing chart with confidence.

Basic components of a noise-free hearing graph include the horizontal axis, vertical axis, red circles, blue crosses, and connecting lines. The horizontal axis represents frequency, divided into six levels from left to right: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz, and 8,000 Hz. These can be roughly categorized as:

• Low frequencies: 250 Hz and 500 Hz

• Mid frequencies: 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz

• High frequencies: 4,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz

Among these, the frequencies most relevant to human speech are 1,000 Hz to 4,000 Hz.

The vertical axis shows sound level, with numbers increasing from top to bottom. A level within 25 dB HL indicates normal hearing.

If your hearing exceeds 25 dB HL, it indicates a hearing impairment. You should consult a doctor promptly or consider using a hearing aid to prevent further hearing loss, which can also affect language ability.

• Red circles represent the hearing of the right ear.

• Blue crosses represent the hearing of the left ear.

Connecting lines of the same color link circles or crosses, but sometimes there may be no connection. Significant hearing loss indicates a problem, and you should be evaluated by a specialist to determine the degree of hearing reduction and receive appropriate treatment.

Digibionic offers free hearing assessments. If you have hearing issues, protect your hearing as soon as possible—we are ready to help.