ABG
Pronunciation: A-B-G
Also written as: ABG — Air–Bone Gap
Abbreviation for Air–Bone Gap, the decibel difference between air-conduction and bone-conduction thresholds at a given frequency.
Full Definition
ABG is the standard abbreviation used in audiological reports and clinical shorthand to denote the Air–Bone Gap, which serves as a primary indicator of conductive hearing loss. A significant ABG is conventionally defined as a difference of 10 dB HL or more. Editors must ensure ABG is not confused with the identical abbreviation 'ABG' used in arterial blood gas analysis in general medicine; context must clearly establish the audiological meaning. The abbreviation should be introduced at first use with its full form in formal clinical documents.
Usage
Usage note: Because ABG is also the standard abbreviation for arterial blood gas in other clinical specialties, editors working on interdisciplinary documents must disambiguate at first use.
In Context
- "An ABG of 25 dB at 1000 Hz was consistent with middle-ear pathology." — Audiological diagnostic report
- "The ABG narrowed following surgical intervention, indicating improved middle-ear function." — Post-operative audiology note