Pure-Tone Average
Also written as: PTA — Pure-Tone Average
The arithmetic mean of hearing thresholds (in dB HL) at two or more specified frequencies, typically 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, used to summarize overall hearing sensitivity.
Full Definition
The Pure-Tone Average (PTA) serves as the primary index of hearing sensitivity across the speech-frequency range and is used to classify degree of hearing loss according to established scales. The three-frequency PTA (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) is most common in clinical practice, though a four-frequency variant adding 3000 Hz is preferred in some jurisdictions and for medicolegal reporting. Editors must note that the abbreviation PTA should be expanded on first use in reports and research papers. In editorial review of tables, confirm that PTA values are expressed in dB HL and that the frequencies included are explicitly stated, as failure to specify frequencies is a common documentation error.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate 'pure-tone' as a compound modifier. Specify constituent frequencies (e.g., 500–2000 Hz or 500–3000 Hz) in any report or table where ambiguity exists.
In Context
- "The patient's pure-tone average of 55 dB HL in the right ear indicated a moderate degree of hearing loss." — Audiological evaluation report
- "Authors should specify which frequencies constitute the PTA when reporting group means in research." — Research article editorial guideline