Pure-Tone Audiometry: What It Is and How It Detects Hearing Loss

When you walk into a hearing clinic and put on headphones, the beeps you hear aren’t just random sounds—they’re part of a precise test called pure-tone audiometry, a standardized hearing test that measures the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies. Also known as air conduction testing, it’s the most common way doctors check for hearing loss—whether it’s from aging, noise exposure, or an underlying condition.

This test doesn’t just tell you if you can hear—it tells you how much you’re missing. The results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram, a visual chart showing hearing sensitivity across pitch and volume. Each point on the chart represents the quietest tone you heard at a specific frequency, usually from 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz. If your thresholds are higher than normal, especially in the high frequencies, it often points to noise damage or age-related hearing decline. Doctors use this data to decide if you need hearing aids, further testing, or just a follow-up.

Pure-tone audiometry is simple, but it’s not foolproof. It doesn’t tell you why your hearing changed—only that it did. That’s why it’s often paired with other tests like tympanometry, a test that checks middle ear function or speech discrimination tests. Together, they paint a full picture. For example, if your audiogram shows a dip at 4,000 Hz—a classic sign of noise-induced loss—and your tympanometry is normal, the culprit is likely long-term exposure to loud sounds, not fluid or infection.

You don’t need to be a specialist to understand the basics. The test takes about 15 minutes. You’ll hear tones through headphones, and you’ll press a button or raise your hand when you hear them. No pain. No needles. No preparation. Even kids can do it with a little coaching. But the real value isn’t in the test itself—it’s in catching problems early. Hearing loss doesn’t always come with a warning. By the time you notice you’re asking people to repeat themselves, you may have already lost 25% or more of your hearing ability.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. These are real-world stories and facts about how hearing tests fit into broader health care. You’ll see how pure-tone audiometry connects to medication side effects, workplace safety, and even how certain drugs can quietly damage hearing. Some posts dig into why people ignore early signs. Others explain what happens after the test—how results lead to hearing aids, lifestyle changes, or referrals to specialists. This isn’t a textbook. It’s a guide for people who want to understand their ears, not just their test results.