An audiogram is a graph of hearing-test results across sound frequencies. Keep the whole report, its symbols and the clinician’s explanation; a cropped graph or one number is not a complete hearing assessment.
Know what the axes describe
ASHA’s audiometry guidance describes frequency in hertz along the horizontal axis and hearing level in decibels along the vertical axis. These are different quantities: pitch and hearing level. A number on one axis cannot be compared directly with a number on the other.
An audiogram is not a percentage of hearing remaining. Do not translate a decibel result into “percent deaf” or infer a diagnosis from the visual steepness of a line. Ask the audiologist to explain the results in relation to the concern that brought you to the appointment.
Preserve the information around the graph
Keep the date, clinic, test labels, ear identification and symbol key with the plot. ASHA notes that results for ears may appear together or on separate graphs. The layout alone does not establish what each symbol means.
If you receive a photograph, check that the edges are not cut off and that small text is readable. Request the original report when available. Avoid redrawing the graph in an app and discarding the source, because symbols and notes can be lost during transcription.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Whole page | Preserves axes, notes and symbol key |
| Date and clinic | Identifies the assessment being discussed |
| Ear labels | Avoids swapping left and right |
| Test information | Shows which measurements were performed |
| Other report pages | May contain speech results or an explanation |
| Follow-up plan | Connects the graph with the recommended next step |
Write questions beside unfamiliar symbols
You can ask what the different symbols represent, whether the report includes different testing methods and which findings matter for everyday listening. If a symbol suggests no response or a special test condition, ask the audiologist to explain rather than treating it as an ordinary plotted point.
A useful question about change is “Are these two assessments comparable?” Bring both complete reports. Different dates, methods or conditions may require explanation before a visual comparison is meaningful.
Illustrative report note: “Two pages received; graph and speech-test summary retained; uncertain about two symbols; would like the audiologist to explain how these relate to difficulty following meetings.” This example records questions without assigning a hearing-loss category.
Keep home screening in a separate folder or clearly labeled
The NHS describes online hearing checks as helping people decide whether to obtain face-to-face testing. A phone-based result is not automatically equivalent to a clinical audiogram. Label its source and conditions if you discuss it.
Use the guide to hearing-test types for the different appointment tasks, and the appointment PDF for questions. The optional hearing app records screening history; it does not make this report interpretation unnecessary. Sudden or rapidly worsening hearing needs urgent medical advice rather than waiting to compare graphs.
Sources & checks
- ASHA: Guidelines for manual pure-tone threshold audiometry ↗
Frequency and hearing-level axes and audiometric reporting.
- ASHA: Audiometric symbols ↗
Different symbols and separate or combined ear plots.
- NHS: Hearing tests ↗
Online checks versus face-to-face testing and urgent hearing changes.
- Current App Store listing: Hearing Test & Audiogram ↗
Public US listing checked September30; recording or sound features only, not evidence of health benefit.
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-30. Examples and worksheets are original illustrations, not real patient histories or clinical validation. This is educational content, not individual medical advice or a clinician-reviewed treatment plan.
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