Calculator inputs
Example data table
| Frequency | Right ear | Left ear |
|---|---|---|
| 500 Hz | 25 dB HL | 20 dB HL |
| 1000 Hz | 30 dB HL | 25 dB HL |
| 2000 Hz | 40 dB HL | 35 dB HL |
| 3000 Hz | 50 dB HL | 45 dB HL |
| 4000 Hz | 55 dB HL | 50 dB HL |
| 6000 Hz | 60 dB HL | 55 dB HL |
| 8000 Hz | 65 dB HL | 60 dB HL |
Formula used
Core averages
Speech PTA = (500 + 1000 + 2000 thresholds) / 3
PTA4 for severity = (500 + 1000 + 2000 + 4000 thresholds) / 4
High-frequency average = (3000 + 4000 + 6000 thresholds) / 3
Impairment workflow
Impairment PTA4 = (500 + 1000 + 2000 + 3000 thresholds) / 4
Monaural impairment % = max(0, min(100, (Impairment PTA4 - 25) × 1.5))
Binaural impairment % = ((5 × better-ear monaural %) + worse-ear monaural %) / 6
Severity grading here uses the better-ear PTA4. The disabling threshold check uses better-ear PTA4 greater than 35 dB for adults and greater than 30 dB for children.
How to use this calculator
- Enter air-conduction thresholds for each ear at every listed frequency.
- Select whether the report is for an adult or child.
- Add an optional patient label and notes for documentation.
- Press Calculate hearing loss to generate the summary above the form.
- Review the PTA values, grade, monaural percentages, binaural percentage, and audiogram plot.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save the finished report.
Frequently asked questions
1. What does PTA mean?
PTA means pure-tone average. It summarizes several hearing thresholds into one number, making it easier to compare ears, grade severity, and track changes over time.
2. Why are different frequencies used in different formulas?
Speech understanding relies heavily on mid frequencies, while impairment workflows often include 3000 Hz. Using multiple averages gives a broader screening picture than one single number.
3. Does this tool diagnose hearing loss?
No. It organizes thresholds and applies screening formulas. Diagnosis, underlying cause, and treatment planning require clinical examination and full audiology testing.
4. What is binaural impairment?
Binaural impairment estimates overall functional impact using both ears together. The better ear receives greater weight because it contributes more to daily hearing performance.
5. Why is the graph axis inverted?
Audiograms commonly display lower dB HL near the top and poorer thresholds deeper down the chart. The inverted axis matches familiar audiology presentation styles.
6. Can I use this for one-sided hearing problems?
Yes, the calculator compares ears directly and also flags a WHO-style unilateral screening pattern when the better ear remains normal but the other ear is poorer.
7. What threshold range should I enter?
Enter audiogram values in dB HL. This tool accepts thresholds from -10 to 130 to cover common clinical reporting ranges and severe losses.
8. When should someone seek clinical review urgently?
Urgent review is sensible for sudden hearing change, ear pain, drainage, dizziness, marked one-sided symptoms, or ringing that appears abruptly with hearing decline.