Question
Electro-acoustic audiometry suggests: Right ear hearing thresholds at 2, 3, 4, and 6kHz are 29, 56, 54, and 46dB; left ear hearing thresholds at 2, 3, 4, and 6kHz are 54, 57, 65, and 54dB. Are these normal?
Answer
Patient, age 27, a young adult. The results of your electro-acoustic audiometry indicate abnormal hearing, classified as moderate hearing loss. In the audiogram, if the bone-conduction readings (indicated by upward or square brackets) differ from the provided hearing threshold readings by about 10dB, they are within the normal range. This patient’s hearing loss requires immediate treatment. Firstly, it is necessary to identify the cause of the hearing loss and treat the underlying condition. There are many causes of hearing loss, including neural, conductive, drug-induced, and blast-related. Regardless of the cause, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within a week, for better therapeutic outcomes. Doctor’s inquiry: Did your hearing loss occur suddenly?