In Hearing Exam by Dr. Robert Hooper Au.D. / November 2, 2026
After a hearing test, you may be handed a graph filled with circles, crosses, and numbers. That graph is called an audiogram. It records the softest tones you could hear at different pitches during the test. Knowing a few basics can make the results easier to discuss and help you remember what your hearing care professional explained. You do not need to interpret every symbol on your own to take an active part in that conversation.
Start with Pitch and Hearing Level
The numbers across the audiogram describe frequency, measured in hertz, or Hz. Lower-pitched tones appear toward the left, and higher-pitched tones appear toward the right. Think of moving from the lower notes to the higher notes on a piano. This part of the graph tells you which pitch was tested.
The numbers running down the side describe hearing level, measured in decibels, or dB HL. Softer test levels are near the top. Louder levels are farther down. A mark lower on the page means that a louder tone was needed for you to detect that particular pitch. It can feel backward at first because a higher number appears lower on the chart.
Each plotted mark represents a hearing threshold. Read its position in both directions: across to find the pitch and up or down to find the hearing level. A threshold of 40 dB HL is a sound-level measurement at a particular pitch, not a statement that you have lost 40 percent of your hearing.
Follow the Symbols for Each Ear
Results for the right and left ears are recorded separately, sometimes on one graph and sometimes on two. Red circles commonly represent right-ear air-conduction results, while blue crosses commonly represent left-ear results. The symbol key is important, especially on a black-and-white printout or a chart containing additional types of measurements.
You may also see triangles, brackets, or other marks. These can distinguish test methods or show that masking was used to keep the other ear from influencing a response. Rather than guessing, ask your hearing care professional to point out the symbols that belong to each ear and explain any additional marks on your copy.
Look Across the Graph
One point cannot describe your hearing across every pitch. Follow the results from left to right to see the overall pattern. A relatively flat pattern means thresholds are similar across the tested frequencies. A pattern that slopes downward toward the right means louder levels were needed to detect the higher-pitched tones.
It is also worth asking whether the two ears have similar results. Your hearing care professional can explain the degree and pattern of any hearing loss and whether differences need further attention. Descriptions such as mild or moderate are useful summaries, but reviewing the individual frequencies gives you more detail than a single label.
Keep Thresholds and Speech Scores Separate
Your results may include speech measurements alongside the tone graph. These answer different questions. For example, a speech recognition threshold looks at how softly certain words can be recognized. A word recognition score describes how many test words were repeated correctly at a specified presentation level. It should be understood in the context of how that test was performed.
A word recognition percentage is not a percentage of all hearing remaining. Ask which speech tests were completed and what each result means for you. Ear-Tronics’ guide to what to expect at a hearing test describes both pure-tone and speech testing, followed by a review of the findings. That discussion helps connect the separate measurements.
Use the Whole Evaluation
An audiogram is part of a hearing evaluation. Air-conduction testing sends sound through earphones, while bone-conduction testing uses a small vibrating device to stimulate the inner ear through the skull. Comparing these results can help identify the type of hearing loss. Your hearing care professional also considers your ear examination, history, and any other tests needed.
The graph alone does not establish every cause of hearing difficulty or select a hearing aid for you. Tell your provider what prompted the appointment and what you hope to improve. Ear-Tronics’ consultation and hearing exam includes a discussion of daily activities and listening needs, giving those test results a practical context for recommendations.
Leave with a Clear Next Step
Before the appointment ends, ask to review one or two points on the audiogram together. Useful questions include: Which pitches are hardest for me to hear? Are my ears similar? What do the speech results add? If you have an earlier audiogram, ask whether any differences are meaningful. Request a copy of the results and clarify when follow-up testing is recommended.
You do not have to leave knowing every abbreviation. The goal is to understand what the results show and what happens next, whether that means monitoring, further evaluation, or discussing hearing support. Contact Ear-Tronics to schedule a hearing exam or ask about reviewing your hearing needs. A clear explanation can turn an unfamiliar graph into something you can use when making decisions about your care.