The hearing number
The Hearing Number is a simple metric that gives you a snapshot of your hearing at the time you learn it. Your Hearing Number reflects how loud speech must be before you can hear it. The number typically ranges from about 0 to 100 decibels (dB). The higher your Hearing Number is, the louder sounds will need to be for you to hear them.
Most children have a Hearing Number that is less than 10, which means they can hear very soft sounds. As we get older, we all lose some hearing, and our Hearing Number increases. You have two Hearing Numbers: one for your right ear and one for your left ear.
The Hearing Number is also known as the pure tone average, or PTA4. The PTA4 is one of many ways that hearing care professionals measure hearing. You may have heard hearing loss described as mild, moderate, or severe. The PTA4 is used to define those broad categories too.
- Mild is a Hearing Number of 20 to 34
- Moderate is a Hearing Number of 34 to 49
- Moderately severe is a Hearing Number of 50 to 64
- Severe is a Hearing Number of 65 to 79
The higher the Hearing Number, the louder your conversations need to be
Why should I know my Hearing Number?
Knowing your Hearing Number is a step toward taking control of your hearing health now and throughout your life. Knowing your Hearing Number will help you:
- Better understand your own hearing with a number that you can monitor over time.
- Know when to start using communication strategies or hearing technologies that will improve your hearing and overall quality of life.
- Feel empowered and more comfortable talking about your hearing with loved ones and health care professionals.
- Value your hearing as an important part of your overall health.
How can I get my Hearing Number?
Here are a few ways to get your Hearing Number.
See a hearing care professional.
Your hearing care professional, such as an audiologist, will test your hearing. Ask your hearing care professional to tell you your PTA4, which is your Hearing Number.
Get your Hearing Number using an Apple phone or tablet.
At this time, only Apple phones and tablets can provide your Hearing Number. Go to the Apple Store and download the Mimi Hearing Test or SonicCloud app. In the Mimi app, choose the “Pure Tone Threshold Test.” After you take the hearing test, it will provide an Audiogram and tell you your Hearing Number right in the app. In the SonicCloud app, import your results into the Apple Health app to get your Hearing Number. To do this, click “Show All Health Data” in the Apple Health app, then scroll down until you see “Audiogram.” Your left and right ear Hearing Numbers will be listed under Audiogram.
Calculate your Hearing Number from your audiogram.
If you have a copy of your hearing test, also known as an audiogram, follow the directions below to calculate your Hearing Number.
Calculate your Hearing Number from your audiogram
If you have a copy of your hearing test, also known as an audiogram, follow the directions below to calculate your Hearing Number.
Your audiogram is a graph. Across the top is frequency (Hz). Down the side is decibels (dB). Your audiogram may have many symbols on it. To calculate your Hearing Number, look for the line with the X’s and the line with the O’s.
Important
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