Audiograms

Audiograms are basically a picture of your hearing ability. The vertical lines on the audiogram below represent pitch or frequency in The vertical line on the far left side of the audiogram represents the lowest pitch sound tested while each vertical line to the right of it represents a higher pitch sound. Moving left to right on the audiogram would be like moving from left to right on a piano keyboard. The horizontal lines represent the loudness or intensity of the test sound. The 0 decibel (dB) line on the top of the audiogram represents the softest level of sound tested for each pitch. Each horizontal line below represents an increasingly louder sound. Moving from the top to the bottom would be consistent with turning up the volume of your stereo louder and louder. So, every symbol recorded on the audiogram represents the softest level that you are able to hear for a given pitch. This is called your threshold. Thresholds of 0-25 dB are considered to be in the normal range for adults and 0-15 dB for children. Thresholds for the right ear are represented by O, while thresholds for the left ear are represented by X.

The audiogram below contains a speech banana. This demonstrates the different frequencies and intensities of the sounds that make up human speech when spoken at normal conversational levels. Other, non-speech sounds are also represented on the audiogram. 

The audiologists at St. John Hospital and Medical Center are equipped to provide a complete range of audiologic and vestibular testing and rehabilitative services, including hearing aid selection and dispensing.

Appointments

Appointments can be scheduled by contacting the Audiology department 313-343-3165. You can also contact audiologists at St. John Hospital via e-mail at audiology@stjohn.org