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Sounds have a certain pitch or frequency. Frequency is measured
by the number of waves or cycles that a sound makes in a single
second. The scale that is used to measure cycles per second (cps)
is called Hertzs (Hz). The degree of loudness or intensity
is measured in units called decibels (dB).
An audiogram is a visual representation of the usable hearing;
it compares it with that of a person who hears normally.
The audiogram illustrated shows how this works and what it means.
You can see that the pitch or frequency of the sounds is measured
from left to right (low to high pitch) by numbers at the top of
the grid. The loudness, or intensity, of the sounds is measured
from soft at the top to loud at the bottom. These numbers run along
the left and right sides of the grid. The audiologist will present
sounds, one frequency at a time. The softest level of intensity
at which a person responds to each frequency will be marked on the
audiogram at that frequency and intensity.
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