How to Read a Hearing Test (Audiogram): A Simple Guide for Seniors

You Got a Hearing Test — Now What?

If you've recently had a hearing test, you may have walked away with a chart full of lines, numbers, and symbols that look more like a foreign language than medical results. You're not alone. Most people — including many seniors — have no idea how to read an audiogram.

This guide breaks it down in plain English, so you can understand your results and make informed decisions about your hearing health.

What Is an Audiogram?

An audiogram is a graph that shows how well you can hear different sounds at different volumes. It's the standard tool audiologists use to measure hearing ability.

The chart has two axes:

• Horizontal axis (left to right): Frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz). Low numbers (250 Hz) represent low-pitched sounds like a rumble. High numbers (8000 Hz) represent high-pitched sounds like a bird chirping.
• Vertical axis (top to bottom): Volume, measured in decibels (dB). The top of the chart is very quiet (0 dB). The bottom is very loud (110+ dB).

The lower your marks on the chart, the louder a sound needs to be for you to hear it — which means more hearing loss.

What Do the Symbols Mean?

On most audiograms, you'll see two types of symbols:

• O (circle): Represents your right ear
• X (cross): Represents your left ear

Each symbol is plotted at the softest sound you could hear at that frequency during the test.

Understanding Hearing Loss Levels

Here's a simple breakdown of what the dB levels mean:

• 0–25 dB: Normal hearing
• 26–40 dB: Mild hearing loss — you may miss soft speech or whispers
• 41–55 dB: Moderate hearing loss — conversations in quiet rooms are difficult
• 56–70 dB: Moderately severe — you need people to speak loudly
• 71–90 dB: Severe hearing loss — even loud speech is hard to follow
• 91+ dB: Profound hearing loss

Which Frequencies Matter Most for Speech?

Human speech falls mostly between 500 Hz and 4000 Hz. If your hearing loss is concentrated in this range, you'll likely struggle to follow conversations — even in quiet environments.

High-frequency hearing loss (above 2000 Hz) is the most common type in seniors. It makes consonants like "s," "f," "th," and "sh" hard to distinguish, which is why speech can sound muffled even when it's loud enough.

Do You Need a Hearing Aid Based on Your Audiogram?

Generally speaking:

• Mild to moderate hearing loss (26–55 dB): OTC hearing aids are a practical, affordable option. No prescription required.
• Moderately severe to severe (56–90 dB): Prescription hearing aids or professional fitting may be recommended.

Since 2022, the FDA has allowed over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to be sold directly to adults with mild to moderate hearing loss — no audiologist visit required.

What OTC Hearing Aids Work for Mild to Moderate Loss?

If your audiogram shows mild to moderate hearing loss in the speech frequencies, an OTC hearing aid can make a significant difference in daily life — at a fraction of the cost of clinic-fitted devices.

The RKEPIE M602 is a completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid designed for mild to moderate hearing loss. It sits discreetly inside the ear canal and is virtually invisible — a popular choice for seniors who want effective amplification without drawing attention.

For those who prefer a behind-the-ear style, the RKEPIE M802 offers a comfortable BTE fit with easy volume control — ideal for first-time users or those with dexterity challenges.

What If My Hearing Loss Is Different in Each Ear?

This is very common. Many people have asymmetric hearing loss — one ear hears better than the other. Your audiogram will show separate lines for each ear.

If the difference is significant, you may benefit from two hearing aids (one per ear), or a single aid in the worse ear. An audiologist can advise on this, but many OTC users start with one aid and adjust from there.

Key Takeaways

• An audiogram measures how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them at different pitches
• The lower your marks on the chart, the greater your hearing loss
• Mild to moderate hearing loss (26–55 dB) is well-suited for OTC hearing aids
• High-frequency loss is the most common type in seniors and affects speech clarity
• OTC options like the RKEPIE M602 (CIC) and M802 (BTE) are designed for this range

Understanding your audiogram is the first step toward better hearing. You don't need a medical degree — just a simple guide like this one.