AAO-HNSF Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel

Basis of Audiometric Evaluation: Terminology and Concepts • Frequency: The speed at which the sound pressure

waves move. Frequency is a physical property of sound.

• Pitch: The psychophysical perception of frequency. Faster rate results in perception of higher pitch.

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

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Basis of Audiometric Evaluation: Terminology and Concepts • Sound Pressure Level (SPL): The actual amount of physical energy present in a sound

• Hearing Level (HL): A normalized representation of SPL based on the characteristics of the human ear

• Sensation Level (SL): Based on the individuals own hearing—how far above threshold a sound occurs. If threshold is 10 dBHLand a sound is presented at 50 dBHL, the SL is 40 dB.

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

35

Basis of Audiometric Evaluation: Terminology and Concepts SPL related to HL:

7 dB SPL 1000 Hz

9 dB SPL 2000 Hz 9.5 dB SPL 4000 Hz

11 dB SPL 500 Hz

11 dB SPL 6000 Hz

25 dB SPL 250 Hz

AAO-HNS/F

Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel Workshop

36