What is an audiogram?

An audiogram is often called a “hearing test,” but there’s no pass or fail

It is a written record of your hearing levels 

A series of audiograms can track changes in hearing over time

Your hearing threshold levels (the quietest sounds you can hear) are measured in 

decibels (dB) at different frequencies from low (500 Hz) to high (8000 Hz)

Why should I get audiograms?

To measure your hearing ability

To identify hearing problems

To monitor success at maintaining your hearing 

To see if noise exposure is affecting your hearing

Do I have normal hearing?

Compare your hearing threshold 

levels to this scale:

-10 – 25 dB Normal hearing

26 – 40 dB Mild loss

41 – 55 dB Moderate loss

56 – 70 dB Moderate/severe loss

71 – 90 dB Severe loss

91 – 100 dB Profound loss

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Inquiring Ears Want to Know

A fact sheet about your hearing test

Left Ear Thresholds Right Ear Thresholds

500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 8000 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 8000

0 -5 0 10 5 0 5 5 0 10 15 30 40 35

Frequency 

of test tone in Hz

Normal hearing threshold levels 

(25 dB or less, negative numbers 

are especially good)

Worse than normal levels 

(more than 25 dB)

This sheet explains your audiogram (hearing test) and gives some basic information about 

protecting your hearing. Keep it so you can refer to it later.

Sample audiogram results

Audiograms test a range of sounds from low to high 

frequency (pitch). The test frequencies, measured in Hertz 

(Hz) usually range from 500 Hz (around the middle of a 

piano’s scale) up to 6000 or 8000 Hz (a little above the 

highest note a piano can play).

500 Hz 1000 Hz 2000 Hz 4000 Hz
What can cause my hearing to get worse?

Noise is the greatest hearing hazard for most workers, but any of these factors can cause 

or contribute to hearing loss:

Hazardous noise Earwax blockage Medical diseases

Head trauma Heredity Frequent ear infections

Aging Medications Chemical exposures 

See an audiologist or physician for more information about these causes.

Noise is everywhere! How do I protect myself?

If you must shout to be heard over the noise, it’s probably too loud!

Noise doesn’t only happen at work. Noisy home and recreational activities can 

be hazardous.

Have hearing protectors on hand. Use them on and off the job.

How do I select and use hearing protectors?

Comfort — so you’ll wear them

Consistency — use them every time, all the time, in hazardous noise

Cleanliness — keep plugs and hands as clean as possible

How do I insert a foam earplug to help protect my hearing?

Roll the earplug

Pull to open the ear. This step is 

especially important. You should 

pull up and away on the top of your 

ear with the opposite hand so the 

earplug can slide in easily.

Hold the earplug after inserting it. 

Your test results are valuable — don’t lose them! 

Keep a copy of your audiogram in a safe place.

Give a copy to your primary care doctor.

Give a copy to the administrator of your hearing conservation program.

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Roll Pull Hold

To receive NIOSH documents or for more information about occupational safety and health topics, contact:

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) • 1-888-232-6348 (TTY)

e-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

safer ∙ healthier ∙ people

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2008-102