Tone audiogram

A Tone audiogram, also known as the hearing curve, shows the subjective hearing ability of a person and serves the ear, nose and throat specialist as an examination option in audiometry. Values ​​that deviate from the norm and which are obtained using the tone audiogram provide information about the possible causes of hearing impairments. Different tones at different frequencies are perceived through headphones and must be marked as heard.

What is the tone audiogram?

A tone audiogram contains a picture-like representation of the sense of hearing and provides information about hearing. This is how hearing loss and severity are determined. With the audio audiogram, the specialist explains the situation and takes measures. The tone audiogram shows three different frequencies of the individual hearing threshold. This hearing threshold shows a sound so weak that it can hardly be heard. A hearing threshold between 0 and 25 is normal. The tone strength or the tone intensity is measured in decibels, abbreviated as dB, and displayed on a vertical axis. If the axis is followed down, the sound becomes louder. The zero decibel on the axis tip is the weakest sound that can be heard.

Whoever does not hear this tone does not have to be generally unable to perceive tones. The audio frequency, the pitch in Hertz, or Hz for short, is measured on the horizontal axis. Logically, when walking to the right on the scale, the tone frequency increases. Normal conversation reaches a frequency between 500 and 3,000 hertz. The right ear is marked with a red O, the left ear with a blue X. Divergent lines are clearly recognizable in terms of color and show the hearing threshold of each ear. If several markings show below 25 decibels, there may be a hearing impairment. However, background noise or the voices of multiple people are a challenge to the human ear, which filters out all voices and noises.

Function, effect & goals

A tone audiogram can provide valuable information about whether you have a hearing impairment. The result also provides further information about the frequency ranges in which sounds can no longer be fully perceived. The tone audiogram shows how far the hearing loss has progressed and can serve as a confirmation of the success of the measures taken as part of a therapy. If the tone audiogram shows that tones between 25 and 40 decibels cannot be heard, there is mild hearing impairment. It is difficult for those affected to follow a conversation if it is loud in the background, outside noises are added or several people are speaking at the same time.

Between 40 and 70 decibels, the hearing loss is moderate, making it difficult for patients to generally understand conversations. The specialist diagnoses severe hearing loss at decibels between 70 and 95. Those affected are often advised to wear a hearing aid. With a very severe hearing loss of 95 decibels or more, aids such as lip reading, sign language or the accompaniment of a speech-to-text interpreter are considered helpful support. When performing a tone audiogram, the sound transmission to the inner ear is checked.The frequencies between ten kilohertz and 125 hertz are measured with a variable volume between zero and 120 decibels.

With high frequency audiometry, the range up to 20 kilohertz is measured. This test takes place in a soundproof chamber, a hearing test booth, in order to guarantee optimal results during the measurement and to avoid disturbing noises from the environment or from outside.

These could inevitably falsify the test result. Conductive hearing loss, which usually occurs in the middle ear, is checked using the air conduction curve. The hearing performance of the inner ear is tested by the bone conduction curve. The volume increases in steps of five decibels. Usually the patient shows the perception of the sound by pressing a button or something similar. When measuring with the tone audiogram, a sound conduction disorder can be diagnosed at the same time as a hearing loss. This is a form of hearing loss, a so-called combined hearing loss. In order to achieve the best possible result with a tone audiogram, the cooperation of the person being examined is required. Only if the person actively cooperates and wants to do so, the statement of the measured values ​​is efficient and allows optimal further treatment.

The purpose of a tone audiogram is of course to check whether an existing hearing impairment has been identified or excluded, as well as whether an already known hearing impairment has deteriorated. In addition to the sound conduction disorder, there is also a sound sensation disorder, in which those affected are particularly sensitive to loud noises and are overly frightened. A tub-shaped depression in the bone conduction threshold curve at one to four kilohertz could indicate otosclerosis if there was an additional sound conduction disorder. If this depression is in the low and medium range, bass hearing loss, Menière's disease, which is associated with dizziness, can be the cause. A drop in high frequencies is typical for senile hearing loss. That is why timely clarification with the help of a tone audiogram is important. Noise hearing loss is possible through a C5 sink, a sensorineural hearing loss, and can also be clarified with the help of a tone audiogram.

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Risks, side effects & dangers

Since the tone audiogram is made with the support of the person concerned, the result primarily depends on how the person concerned reacts to the tones played to him. If he misunderstood the instructions or is not really interested in treatment, this also falsifies the results of the measurements. The use of medication, acute illnesses, etc. Under certain circumstances, the perception of tones at the moment the tone audiogram is carried out can lead to changed values.