A calculation central to audiological assessments involves determining the average hearing threshold at specific frequencies. This value, derived from air conduction thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz, provides a summary measure of hearing sensitivity. For instance, if an individual’s thresholds are 20 dB HL at 500 Hz, 25 dB HL at 1000 Hz, and 30 dB HL at 2000 Hz, the sum of these values is divided by three to obtain the representative average.
This derived value serves as a crucial indicator of communicative function and general hearing ability. It offers a convenient method for categorizing hearing loss severity, facilitating communication among healthcare professionals, and providing a baseline for monitoring changes in hearing over time. Its simplicity and clinical utility have established it as a standard component of audiometric evaluations for many decades.