Understanding Your Hearing Test Chart and Results

You sit down with your audiologist after your hearing test, and they slide a chart across the desk covered in lines, symbols and numbers that look like they belong in a math class you never took.

They start explaining what it all means, and you nod along, but the second you leave the office and look at the printout again, you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking at anymore.

You remember pieces of what they said, but the chart itself still feels like a foreign language. A lot of people leave their hearing appointments with results they don’t fully understand, which makes it hard to feel confident about whatever comes next, whether that’s getting hearing aids, monitoring changes over time or just knowing where you actually stand.

Learning to read your own hearing test results puts you back in control of your own information.

Instead of relying entirely on someone else to tell you what’s going on with your hearing, you can look at the chart yourself and see what frequencies you’re missing, which ear is stronger and how your hearing has changed since your last test.

That knowledge helps you have better conversations with your audiologist, ask more specific questions and make decisions that actually make sense for your situation.

What Types of Tests Might Be Conducted

Hearing tests are more than just sitting in a booth and raising your hand when you hear a beep. Audiologists use a variety of tests to understand how well your ears and brain process sound. The goal is to get a complete picture of your hearing so the right support can be recommended.

During a hearing evaluation, different tests look at how you hear in quiet and noisy environments, how clearly you understand speech and how your ears respond to different pitches and volumes. Each test provides a piece of the puzzle and helps your audiologist determine your unique listening needs.

Some common types of hearing tests include:

• Pure-tone audiometry: You listen to beeps at different pitches and volumes to measure the softest sounds you can hear in each ear.
• Speech audiometry: This tests how well you understand words and sentences at different volumes, both in quiet and with background noise.
• Tympanometry: This measures how your eardrum and middle ear respond to changes in air pressure, which can indicate fluid, stiffness or other issues.
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs): Tiny sounds produced by your inner ear are measured to see how well your cochlea is functioning.
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR): Electrodes track how your brain responds to sound, which can help identify issues along the hearing pathway.

What a Hearing Test Chart Shows

A hearing test chart provides a detailed look at how you hear different sounds across a range of pitches and volumes. If you have ever noticed that certain voices or noises are harder to hear, this chart helps explain why.

Each ear is measured separately, using lines and symbols to show the softest sounds you can hear at each pitch. This information helps the audiologist understand your unique hearing profile and discuss the best options for your care.

The chart is a valuable tool for making decisions about your hearing health. It guides conversations about treatment and helps you understand the steps that can improve your ability to hear in daily life.

Key Sections You Will Find on a Hearing Test Chart

A hearing test chart is organized into several main sections, each with a specific purpose.

The frequency section runs along the top and shows how well you hear different pitches, from low to high. The intensity section on the side measures how soft or loud a sound must be for you to hear it.

Symbols mark your hearing ability for each ear, making it easier for you and the specialist to spot patterns and decide on next steps. Understanding these sections helps you feel more confident when reviewing your results.

How Decibels and Frequencies Are Used to Measure Sound

When audiologists test your hearing, they are measuring two main things: decibels and frequencies. Decibels, or dBs, tell how loud a sound is. The higher the decibel level, the louder the sound. Frequencies, measured in hertz, indicate the pitch of a sound, from low tones like a drum to high tones like a whistle.

Together, these measurements help determine which sounds you can hear comfortably and which ones may be harder for your ears to detect.

During a hearing test, you’ll listen to tones at different decibel levels across a range of frequencies. This allows your audiologist to create an audiogram, a chart showing the softest sounds you can hear at each pitch.

These measurements help guide the choice of hearing aids or other support, ensuring that devices amplify the sounds you need most without overemphasizing others.

Understanding the Symbols on Your Hearing Test Chart

The symbols on your hearing test chart help show how each ear responds to different sounds. An “O” represents your right ear, while an “X” stands for your left ear. These letters are often color-coded too, with red for the right ear and blue for the left, making it easy to see differences at a glance.

Some tests may use additional shapes or lines to show other measurements, but the basic Xs and Os tell you which ear is being tested.

Knowing which results belong to each ear is important because hearing can vary from one side to the other. Being able to match the symbols to the correct ear helps you and your audiologist discuss any differences and determine the best approach for care.

If you are unsure about any symbols, your audiologist can walk you through them, making it easier to understand your results and have informed conversations about your hearing.

How Normal Hearing Appears on a Standard Test Chart

Normal hearing is usually shown when your results fall within the top section of the chart, between 0-25 dBs across all pitches. This means you can hear both soft and loud sounds within a typical range.

It is easy to mistake small changes in the chart for a problem when they may still be within normal limits. If you are unsure, ask your audiologist to point out which parts of your results are considered normal so you can better understand what your chart reveals about your hearing.

Different Levels of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects people in different ways, and the severity can influence how you hear conversations, environmental sounds and everyday noises. Knowing the level of hearing loss can help you recognize what challenges to expect and what types of support might be helpful.

Hearing loss is typically categorized by how quiet a sound must be before you can detect it. These levels give a general sense of how well someone can follow speech, hear background sounds and manage daily listening situations.

Common levels include:

• Mild: Soft sounds are harder to catch, and some words may be missed in noisy places.
• Moderate: Normal conversation can be difficult without amplification, especially in busy settings.
• Moderately severe: Hearing without devices is challenging in most situations, and
• Severe: Regular conversation is very difficult, and only loud sounds are heard without assistance.
• Profound: Very few sounds are audible without devices, and communication often relies on amplification or other methods.

How Speech Sounds Are Displayed

Speech sounds are shown on your hearing test chart using special marks or shaded areas called the “speech banana.” This area covers the range of pitches and loudness where most common speech sounds occur.

Seeing where your results fall in relation to this area helps you understand which parts of speech may be harder for you to hear.

If your results fall outside the speech banana, certain words or parts of words may be missed during conversations. This can make it more difficult to follow what others are saying, especially in noisy environments.

Displaying speech sounds on the chart helps guide choices about hearing devices and makes it easier to see how hearing loss affects understanding speech.

Changes in Your Hearing Test Results as You Get Older

As you age, changes in your hearing test results are common. Many people notice that certain sounds become harder to hear over time.

Age-related hearing loss often affects high-pitched sounds first, like birds chirping or children’s voices. This usually happens slowly, so you might not notice it right away. Your hearing test chart may show a gradual decrease in how well you hear higher pitches compared to lower ones.

Regular hearing tests help track these changes so any needed adjustments can be made to your care plan. Noticing changes in your hearing is an important part of staying aware of your health as you get older.

Helpful Questions to Ask About Your Hearing Test

Going through a hearing test can bring up a lot of questions. You may wonder what your results mean, how your ears compare or what options are available to support your hearing.

It’s a good idea to prepare questions that cover both the results and what they mean for daily life. Asking the right questions helps you understand your hearing, what challenges to expect and how to address them effectively.

Some helpful questions include:

• What do my results mean? Ask your audiologist to explain your hearing levels and how each ear is performing.
• Are there differences between my ears? Understanding any side-to-side variations can impact recommendations for devices or care.
• Which environments might be challenging? This helps you anticipate situations that may require extra support.
• What options are available to help me? Learn about hearing aids, assistive devices or strategies to make listening easier.
• How often should I have follow-up tests? Regular check-ins help track changes and keep your hearing support up to date.

What to Do After Reviewing Results with Your Audiologist

After reviewing your hearing test results with a specialist, they will talk about the next steps if you require treatment. We may suggest hearing devices, communication strategies or follow-up appointments tailored to your needs.

Having a clear plan for managing your hearing health helps you feel prepared for any changes ahead. Knowing the next steps supports better long-term outcomes by ensuring that your care matches your unique situation.

Taking Charge of Your Hearing Health with Clear Test Results

Understanding your hearing test chart gives you greater control over your hearing health. When you know what your results mean, it becomes easier to talk with our team and make choices about care or devices that fit your needs. If any part of your chart feels unclear, reaching out for clarification can provide helpful answers.

If you have questions about your recent hearing test results or would like support in understanding them, the team at SLENT Hearing & Balance Center in Mandeville, LA is available to assist you. Contact us at (985) 590-5759 for more information or to schedule an appointment.