Audiogram
A graphical record of a patient's hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies, plotted in decibels hearing level (dB HL).
Full Definition
An audiogram is the standard clinical chart produced during pure-tone audiometry, displaying a patient's hearing thresholds at frequencies typically ranging from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz. The vertical axis represents hearing level in decibels (dB HL) and the horizontal axis represents frequency in hertz (Hz). Separate symbols are used to distinguish air-conduction and bone-conduction thresholds, as well as right and left ears. Editors must ensure consistent use of standardized symbols (e.g., O for right air conduction, X for left) and that frequency and level axes are correctly labeled. The audiogram is a core document type in audiological diagnostic reports.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with 'audiograph'; 'audiogram' is the preferred and standard term in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The audiogram revealed a bilateral high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss beginning at 4000 Hz." — Clinical diagnostic report
- "Editors should verify that the audiogram's dB HL axis descends from 0 at the top, in accordance with standard audiometric convention." — Editorial style guide