From the Guidelines
No, an uploaded audiogram cannot directly simulate a person's hearing experience, as simulating hearing loss requires specialized software and expertise, as noted in the clinical practice guideline for age-related hearing loss 1. To accurately simulate a person's hearing, one would need to use dedicated hearing simulation tools or work with an audiologist who has access to software that can process audio files to mimic specific hearing loss patterns shown in an audiogram. Some key points to consider when evaluating an audiogram include:
- The measurement of pure tone thresholds, which is considered the gold standard for detecting hearing loss 1
- Speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex testing, which are all important components of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation 1
- The limitations of obtaining pure-tone audiometry (PTA), including critical workforce shortages and testing variations that can influence results 1 While analyzing audiogram data can provide valuable insights into the type and severity of hearing loss, simulating the actual hearing experience requires additional specialized tools and expertise. For the most accurate simulation, consulting with an audiologist or hearing specialist is recommended, as they have the necessary training and access to specialized software to provide a realistic simulation of a person's hearing experience, based on the latest clinical practice guidelines 1.
From the Research
Audiogram Simulation
- An uploaded audiogram can simulate a person's hearing to some extent, as it provides a representation of an individual's hearing thresholds at different frequencies 2, 3, 4.
- Studies have shown that internet-based hearing tests, such as those using app-based hearing testing programs, can be a valid and useful screening tool for hearing ability in a large population, although they may not replace a clinical pure-tone audiogram conducted by a trained audiologist 2, 3.
- The accuracy of audiogram simulations can vary depending on the method used, with commercial-grade app-based pure tone audiometry demonstrating strong correlation and accuracy with traditional audiometry 3.
- However, consumer app-based tests may have lower accuracy, ranging from 14% to 36% for all ears 3.
Limitations and Considerations
- The correlation between pure-tone audiometry results and speech recognition in noise ability is not always strong, and the audiogram may not be a good indicator of speech recognition in noise ability 5.
- The relationship between high-frequency pure-tone hearing loss and speech recognition in noise is complex, and a new classification scheme of hearing impairment based on the audiogram and speech reception in noise thresholds may be useful for characterizing hearing ability 5.
- The outcome of fitting hearing aids to adults may be affected by whether an audiogram-based prescription formula is individually applied, and further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different programming methods 6.