Aided Threshold
The softest sound level a patient can detect while wearing a hearing aid or other amplification device, measured in dB HL.
Full Definition
Aided thresholds are obtained during audiological testing with the patient's hearing aid or amplification device activated, allowing the clinician to assess the functional benefit provided by the device. They are typically plotted alongside unaided thresholds on an audiogram to visualise the effective gain across frequencies. Aided thresholds are critical for verifying whether amplification targets have been met and for counselling patients on expected real-world benefit. Editors should note the term is always hyphenated as an adjective ('aided-threshold testing') but unhyphenated as a noun phrase ('the aided threshold').
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether aided thresholds were obtained in the sound field or via insert earphones, as the testing condition affects interpretation.
In Context
- "The aided threshold at 2000 Hz improved by 30 dB compared with the unaided condition." — Audiological evaluation report
- "Aided thresholds were recorded across 500–4000 Hz to verify hearing aid performance." — Paediatric audiology clinical note