Audiogram – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Podcast Production Glossary

What is an Audiogram?

An audiogram is a graph that shows the results of a hearing test. It is a visual representation of a person’s ability to hear different frequencies of sound. Audiograms are commonly used by audiologists and other healthcare professionals to assess a person’s hearing abilities and determine if they have any hearing loss.

How is an Audiogram conducted?

During an audiogram, the individual being tested will wear headphones and listen to a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes. The audiologist will then record the softest sounds that the person can hear at each frequency. This information is plotted on the audiogram, with frequency measured in Hertz (Hz) on the horizontal axis and volume measured in decibels (dB) on the vertical axis.

What information does an Audiogram provide?

An audiogram provides valuable information about a person’s hearing abilities. It can show the type and degree of hearing loss, as well as whether the hearing loss is conductive (related to the ear canal or middle ear) or sensorineural (related to the inner ear or auditory nerve). Audiograms can also help determine if hearing aids or other interventions are necessary.

What are the different types of hearing loss shown on an Audiogram?

There are three main types of hearing loss that can be shown on an audiogram: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

How is an Audiogram used in podcast production?

Audiograms are also commonly used in podcast production to create visual representations of audio content. By converting audio clips into visual waveforms, podcasters can share snippets of their episodes on social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter. Audiograms can help attract new listeners by providing a preview of the podcast’s content in a visually engaging format.

What are some common misconceptions about Audiograms?

One common misconception about audiograms is that they are only used to assess hearing loss in older adults. In reality, audiograms can be conducted on individuals of all ages, from infants to seniors. Another misconception is that audiograms are only used by audiologists. While audiologists are experts in conducting and interpreting audiograms, other healthcare professionals, such as otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists, may also use audiograms in their practice.