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Audiogram Chart Explained: How to Read Hearing Test Results

Learn how to read a basic audiogram chart — what the axes mean, common patterns, and how results connect to real-life hearing.

Updated 2025-08-07•13 min read
audiogram charthow to read an audiogramhearing test resultshearing thresholdsspeech discrimination

Think of the audiogram as a ‘map’ of soft sounds

An audiogram charts the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches (low to high).

It’s not a report card — it’s a measurement tool that helps explain what you’re missing and why some situations (like restaurants) feel so hard.

The two axes: pitch and loudness

  • Left-to-right (frequency/pitch): low pitches on the left, high pitches on the right
  • Top-to-bottom (dB HL): closer to the top usually means you can hear softer sounds; lower down means sounds must be louder

Why high-frequency loss affects speech clarity

Many speech consonants (like ‘s’, ‘f’, ‘th’) live in the higher pitches.

So you might say ‘I can hear people talking, but I can’t make out the words’ — especially in background noise.

What to do after you get results

  • Ask for a printed or digital copy of your audiogram.
  • Ask what the results suggest about type of hearing loss and next steps.
  • If hearing aids are discussed, ask how success will be measured (goals + follow-up schedule).

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Only a qualified professional can interpret test results in context.

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