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Practice of interpretation – step by step Copy
Practice of interpretation – step by step
Using examples of audiograms follow the steps below to start the interpretation of this audiogram. The history of this worker is as follows:
He works in construction as a welderHe is exposed to noise above 105dB(A) for 8 hours or more a day
He wears earmuffs supplied by the company
His date of birth is 1971/02/03 – 47 years old
Employment date 2013/01/02 – 2018/03/01 (todays date) – 5 years at the same company in the same position
Never had a baseline, has had audiometry done 2013, 2014, and 2018
Date of audiogram today – 2018/03/02 10h14
Otoscopy normal
16 hours noise free with HPD
No significant medical history, no trauma, no surgery, no tinnitus, no medication including ototoxic medication
| Remember: |
| When interpreting an audiogram, the report guides the technician / audiometrist on the presence of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss, the configuration of the hearing loss (which frequencies are affected), the degree of hearing loss (severity) and whether the hearing loss is unilateral or bilateral. |
1. Interpretation Step 1
First assess the history for risk, exposure, and duration
His is exposed to noise above 85dBA for 8 hours daily and wears HPDHe is 47 and been in a noise environment for over 5 years
He has no other areas in his history which would raise warning signs
2. Interpretation Step 2
Second area to assess is the PLH and PLHS
The BLS is zero (0) as he never had a BL and was exposed to noise greater than 85dBAsThe PLH for this test (2018/03/01) is 1.9%
The PLHS from BL is 1.9%
The PLHS from previous test is 0.6%
3. Interpretation Step 3
Thirdly look at the degree of hearing loss (severity)
History taking and worker preparation for the test would give an indication how bad the hearing loss is, so, reflect on how easily or how difficult this process wasLook at the ABHL, for this test the result was 15dB’s therefore normal hearing (0 – 25dB)
4. Interpretation Step 4
Fourthly assess the shape (configuration)
Looking at the graph will give you an indication of the type of patternAssess 1 ear at a time and then compare both ears
The left and right ear has a sloping pattern or configuration
Hearing loss in the left ear is more than in the right in the high frequencies
The right ear depicts a slight recovery on the 6000Hz
5. Interpretation Step 5
Lastly assess and determine the type of hearing loss pattern.
Look at the responses looking for “no response” to tones.Look at the first sign of NIHL which is a “dip” at 4000Hz with a recovery at 6000 and/or 8000Hz – the right ear shows slight sign of this notching. The right ear shows signs of early NIHL as a result of the notching.
The left ear show signs of sensorineural hearing loss – the dip occurs in the higher frequencies and there is no recovery in the 6 and 8kHz.
