Hearing Test Results Decoder | UCSF EARS
TOOL · HEARING TEST RESULTS DECODER

Hearing Test Results Decoder

This tool is a plain-language “translator” for common adult hearing test results. Start with what you have: a single hearing number (PTA), a quick two-point pattern (best + poorest), or a full audiogram.

2–8 minutes Educational summary (not diagnosis)
What this tool can do Explain patterns, day-to-day impact (“I hear but don’t understand”), and realistic next steps. You can leave blanks—this is not a test.
Hearing emergency? Sudden hearing change (hours to 3 days), new severe vertigo, new neurologic symptoms, or major injury should be evaluated urgently. Go to Emergency guidance.

Start with what you have

Three doors. Same destination: a clear explanation and next steps.

Fastest

I have a “hearing number” (PTA)

Good if your report lists PTA for each ear, or someone told you “mild / moderate / severe.”

Middle ground

Two-point hearing pattern

Choose your best and poorest points on the graph. Great when you don’t want to type everything.

Most detailed

I can enter a full audiogram

Best if you have the paper/report open. You can leave blanks (the tool will still help).

Tip: On many reports, PTA is printed near the bottom. For speech clarity, look for WRS or “Word Recognition.”

Start simple, or jump ahead if your audiogram is in front of you.

Which ear(s) would you like to enter?
Where do I find PTA?
Left ear PTA

If you don’t see a single PTA number, you can still use Two-point or Full audiogram.

Or choose what you were told
Right ear PTA

If you have separate PTAs for left and right, use them here.

Or choose what you were told

PTA is often an average of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Some reports print it as “PTA” near the bottom for each ear.

Use the Two-point path instead
Which ear(s) would you like to enter?

Pick the point closest to the top (best hearing) and the point lowest on the chart (poorest hearing). Approximate is fine.

Left ear Two-point
Best = closest to top
Poor = lowest on chart

This gives a quick “shape” (flat vs high-frequency vs low-frequency) without typing everything.

Right ear Two-point
Best = closest to top
Poor = lowest on chart

You don’t have to be perfect—this is a “big picture” pattern finder.

Enter full audiogram
Which ear(s) are on your audiogram?

Enter what you can. If you’re unsure about a value, leave it blank.

Left ear Audiogram

May be labeled “Word Recognition,” “Speech Discrimination,” or “WRS.”

Type of hearing loss (if you were told)
Right ear Audiogram

If multiple WRS scores exist, use the one your audiologist emphasized.

Type of hearing loss (if you were told)
How recent is this change?

If you select “new or much worse,” the results will include a safety note and emergency routing.

Use Two-point instead

Don’t have your report yet?

Use the Care Navigator to figure out who to see and how soon. When you request records, ask for: “audiogram thresholds + word recognition (WRS) for each ear.”

Your interpretation

Educational summary

Pick a starting option and enter what you know. Your personalized explanation will appear here—including what this may feel like day to day and the most reasonable next steps.

Next Steps

Your hearing “numbers” are only part of the picture. The next step is pairing patterns with real-life needs, communication goals, and the right type of care.

Care Navigator Smartphone Hearing Tools Technology Pathway