What is a normal audiogram?

A normal audiogram shows hearing thresholds at or below 25 dB HL across all frequencies (250–8000 Hz). Younger adults often have thresholds of 0–15 dB HL. Thresholds naturally increase (worsen) with age, particularly at higher frequencies. An audiogram is considered clinically normal if the PTA is 25 dB HL or less.

What do the different frequencies mean?

Low frequencies (250–500 Hz) carry the vowel energy and bass tones in speech. Mid frequencies (1000–2000 Hz) are the core speech range where most consonants are distinguished. High frequencies (4000–8000 Hz) provide clarity and sharpness to speech sounds. Loss at different frequencies creates different communication difficulties. High-frequency loss makes speech sound "muddy" even when loud enough.

What is the difference between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss?

Sensorineural loss involves damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve — caused by aging, noise exposure, genetics, or ototoxic medications. It is generally permanent. Conductive loss involves problems in the outer or middle ear (fluid, earwax, perforation, otosclerosis) that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear. It is often medically or surgically treatable. Audiometry distinguishes them by comparing air conduction and bone conduction thresholds.

At what PTA should I get hearing aids?

Clinical guidelines typically recommend hearing aid evaluation when PTA exceeds 25–30 dB HL, but the decision depends more on communication impact than numbers. If you regularly ask people to repeat themselves, struggle in group conversations, or increase TV volume beyond comfortable levels for others, you may benefit from amplification regardless of your exact PTA. Early adoption leads to better outcomes.

Can hearing loss be prevented?

Noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable with proper hearing protection. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit is 85 dB for 8 hours. For every 3 dB increase, safe exposure time halves. Use ear protection for power tools (90–100 dB), concerts (100–120 dB), and firearms (140+ dB). Age-related hearing loss cannot be prevented but may be slowed by avoiding noise exposure, managing cardiovascular health, and avoiding ototoxic medications when possible.

What is the 4000 Hz "noise notch"?

Noise-induced hearing loss characteristically shows a dip (notch) in hearing thresholds at 4000 Hz, with recovery at 8000 Hz. This pattern is pathognomonic for noise damage, distinguishing it from age-related loss (which shows a continuous high-frequency slope without recovery). The notch occurs because the 4000 Hz region of the cochlea is anatomically most vulnerable to noise damage.

Hearing Loss Frequency Calculator

Calculate Pure Tone Average (PTA) from audiogram frequencies and classify hearing loss severity using WHO criteria. Enter dB HL values for each frequency.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This calculator is for interpreting audiometric data only. Formal hearing evaluation and next-step planning still belong with an audiologist or other qualified hearing-care clinician.

Enter Hearing Thresholds (dB HL)

Ear	250 Hz	500 Hz*	1k Hz*	2k Hz*	4k Hz*	8k Hz
Right (O)
Left (X)

* Frequencies used for PTA calculation

Right Ear (O)

32.5 dB

Mild

Left Ear (X)

32.5 dB

Mild

Better Ear PTA

32.5 dB HL

WHO: Mild

Asymmetry

0 dB

Within a relatively small inter-ear difference range

Audiogram Visualization

100

120

250

500

O = Right ear× = Left ear— = 25 dB (normal limit)

WHO Hearing Loss Classification

Severity	PTA (dB HL)	Impact	Typical Follow-up Context
Normal	0–25	No difficulty	Routine hearing-health follow-up
Mild	26–40	Soft speech difficult	Discussion of communication strategies or amplification may come up
Moderate	41–60	Normal conversation difficult	Formal hearing-aid review is common in this band
Severe	61–80	Only loud speech audible	Amplification and specialist review are often needed
Profound	>80	Most speech inaudible	Advanced hearing-rehabilitation review may be appropriate

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Hearing Loss Frequency Calculator

The Hearing Loss Frequency Calculator computes your Pure Tone Average (PTA) from audiogram threshold measurements and classifies the severity of hearing loss using the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system. The PTA is the average hearing threshold at the speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) and is the primary metric used to quantify hearing ability.

Audiograms measure the softest sound you can hear (threshold) at each frequency, expressed in dB HL (decibels Hearing Level). Normal hearing is 0–25 dB HL, while sounds above your threshold are inaudible. This calculator accepts thresholds at standard audiometric frequencies from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz and computes the PTA for each ear independently.

Hearing loss affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide and is the third most common chronic condition. Early identification and quantification through audiometry enables timely intervention with hearing aids, cochlear implants, or medical treatment.

When This Page Helps

Understanding an audiogram is easier when the speech-frequency thresholds are summarized consistently. This page turns the hearing thresholds into a PTA and severity band so the result can be discussed more clearly with an audiologist or clinician.

How to Use the Inputs

Enter your hearing threshold (dB HL) at each tested frequency for the left and/or right ear.
Standard speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) are used for PTA calculation.
View the PTA for each ear and the WHO severity classification.
Review the frequency-specific analysis to identify the pattern of loss.
Compare your results to the severity scale for context.
Discuss results with your audiologist for treatment recommendations.

Formula used

Pure Tone Average (PTA) = (threshold at 500 Hz + 1000 Hz + 2000 Hz + 4000 Hz) / 4

WHO Hearing Loss Classification (better ear PTA):
• Normal: 0–25 dB HL
• Mild: 26–40 dB HL
• Moderate: 41–60 dB HL
• Severe: 61–80 dB HL
• Profound: >80 dB HL

Note: Some audiologists use a 3-frequency PTA (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) for speech recognition prediction.

Example Calculation

Result: PTA: 37.5 dB HL — Mild Hearing Loss

The PTA is (25 + 30 + 40 + 55) / 4 = 37.5 dB HL. This falls in the "Mild" category (26–40 dB), where soft speech and whispers are difficult to hear. The rising thresholds at higher frequencies suggest age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), which typically affects higher frequencies first. A hearing aid evaluation would be recommended.

Tips & Best Practices

Hearing thresholds are measured in dB HL, where 0 dB = average normal hearing threshold, NOT silence. Negative values (e.g., −5 dB) mean better-than-average hearing.
PTA of the better ear determines WHO classification, as communication ability depends on the better-hearing ear.
High-frequency hearing loss (4000–8000 Hz) is the most common pattern and affects consonant clarity (s, f, th, sh sounds) before affecting vowels.
Asymmetric hearing loss (>15 dB difference between ears) requires medical evaluation to rule out conditions like acoustic neuroma.
Hearing aids are typically recommended when PTA exceeds 25–30 dB HL, though individual needs vary based on communication demands.
Protect your hearing: Use earplugs for sounds above 85 dB (power tools, concerts, headphones at high volume).

Types of Audiometric Tests

Pure tone audiometry measures frequency-specific hearing thresholds. Speech audiometry includes the Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) — the softest level at which words are understood 50% of the time — and Word Recognition Score (WRS) — the percentage of words correctly identified at a comfortable volume. Tympanometry measures middle ear function. OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) tests cochlear function. ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) assesses the auditory nerve pathway.

Hearing Loss Impact

Untreated hearing loss has far-reaching consequences beyond difficulty hearing. Research links it to social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and increased dementia risk. A major Lancet Commission highlighted hearing loss as one of the largest potentially modifiable dementia risk factors. Economically, untreated hearing loss costs an estimated $750 billion annually worldwide in lost productivity and healthcare costs.

Modern Hearing Aid Technology

Current hearing aids use digital signal processing, directional microphones, feedback cancellation, and Bluetooth connectivity. Many models are rechargeable and nearly invisible. Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are available in the US for adults with mild-to-moderate loss, improving access and reducing cost barriers. However, severe-to-profound loss still requires prescription devices with professional fitting.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated: March 31, 2026

Methodology

This page averages the standard speech-frequency thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz to calculate a pure-tone average for each ear. It then maps that PTA to a severity band using the WHO hearing-loss grading framework and keeps the individual thresholds visible so the overall pattern can still be reviewed.

The PTA is a summary measure, not a full audiology interpretation. Bone-conduction testing, word recognition, tympanometry, asymmetry, and the clinical history still matter when deciding what the hearing loss means and what to do next.

Sources

World Report on Hearing (World Health Organization) — Reference context for hearing-loss grading and public-health thresholds.
Audiologic Pure-Tone Average Reference Context (general audiology clinical references) — Reference context for PTA use in audiogram interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

A normal audiogram shows hearing thresholds at or below 25 dB HL across all frequencies (250–8000 Hz). Younger adults often have thresholds of 0–15 dB HL. Thresholds naturally increase (worsen) with age, particularly at higher frequencies. An audiogram is considered clinically normal if the PTA is 25 dB HL or less.
Low frequencies (250–500 Hz) carry the vowel energy and bass tones in speech. Mid frequencies (1000–2000 Hz) are the core speech range where most consonants are distinguished. High frequencies (4000–8000 Hz) provide clarity and sharpness to speech sounds. Loss at different frequencies creates different communication difficulties. High-frequency loss makes speech sound "muddy" even when loud enough.
Sensorineural loss involves damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve — caused by aging, noise exposure, genetics, or ototoxic medications. It is generally permanent. Conductive loss involves problems in the outer or middle ear (fluid, earwax, perforation, otosclerosis) that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear. It is often medically or surgically treatable. Audiometry distinguishes them by comparing air conduction and bone conduction thresholds.
Clinical guidelines typically recommend hearing aid evaluation when PTA exceeds 25–30 dB HL, but the decision depends more on communication impact than numbers. If you regularly ask people to repeat themselves, struggle in group conversations, or increase TV volume beyond comfortable levels for others, you may benefit from amplification regardless of your exact PTA. Early adoption leads to better outcomes.
Noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable with proper hearing protection. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit is 85 dB for 8 hours. For every 3 dB increase, safe exposure time halves. Use ear protection for power tools (90–100 dB), concerts (100–120 dB), and firearms (140+ dB). Age-related hearing loss cannot be prevented but may be slowed by avoiding noise exposure, managing cardiovascular health, and avoiding ototoxic medications when possible.