Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is the most widely used and clinically validated method for measuring hearing ability. It maps your hearing threshold — the softest sound you can detect — across different frequencies, producing a graph called an audiogram. Understanding your audiogram helps you and your audiologist make informed decisions about your hearing care.
What Happens During a Pure Tone Audiometry Test?
- 1You sit in a calibrated sound-treated booth with headphones placed over your ears
- 2Tones of different frequencies (250 Hz to 8,000 Hz) are played at various volumes
- 3You press a button or raise your hand every time you hear a tone — even if it is very faint
- 4The audiologist records the softest level at which you can hear each frequency
- 5This is repeated for both ears, and also using a bone conduction headband placed behind the ear
- 6The entire test takes approximately 20-30 minutes per patient
How to Read Your Audiogram
An audiogram is a graph with frequency (pitch, in Hz) on the horizontal axis and hearing level (loudness, in dB HL) on the vertical axis. Lower on the graph means worse hearing (higher dB threshold). O symbols represent the right ear; X symbols represent the left ear.
| dB Range | Degree of Loss | Typical Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 25 dB | Normal | No difficulty |
| 26 – 40 dB | Mild | Soft speech, some consonants |
| 41 – 55 dB | Moderate | Normal conversation, phone calls |
| 56 – 70 dB | Moderately Severe | Loud speech, groups |
| 71 – 90 dB | Severe | Shouted speech only |
| 91+ dB | Profound | Even loud sounds may not be heard |
What Is Air Conduction vs Bone Conduction Testing?
Air conduction testing (headphones over ears) tests the entire hearing system — outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Bone conduction testing (vibrator placed on the bone behind the ear) bypasses the outer and middle ear and tests the inner ear directly. Comparing the two results tells the audiologist whether any hearing loss is conductive (middle/outer ear problem — often treatable) or sensorineural (inner ear damage — managed with hearing aids).
What Happens After the Test?
Your audiologist will explain your audiogram clearly, tell you the type and degree of your hearing loss, and recommend the appropriate next steps — whether that is medical referral, hearing aids, monitoring, or no action needed. You receive a copy of your audiogram report to keep.
PTA testing at Ideal Hearing Care Center uses a calibrated, CE-marked audiometer in a properly treated sound booth. Our audiograms are accepted by hospitals and ENT specialists across Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Pure Tone Audiometry in Rawalpindi — Serving All Local Areas
Ideal Hearing Care Center in Satellite Town, Rawalpindi provides audiometry Rawalpindi (PTA test) with calibrated CE-marked equipment in a proper sound-treated booth. Patients seeking a PTA test, audiogram, or hearing evaluation arrive from Saddar, Bahria Town, Faizabad, Saidpur Road, Raja Bazar, Cantt, and all of Islamabad. Our audiograms are accepted by ENT specialists at Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, PIMS Islamabad, CMH Rawalpindi, and Shifa International.
Understanding Audiometry Results — What Your Audiogram Means for Treatment
After your PTA test, your audiologist at Ideal Hearing Care Center explains your audiogram clearly: the degree of samaat ki kami (hearing loss), whether it is sensorineural (inner ear damage) or conductive (middle ear problem), and the recommended next steps. If hearing aids (kaan ki machine) are indicated, Real Ear Measurement (REM) fitting is arranged in the same appointment or at a follow-up. Tinnitus evaluation is also available alongside audiometry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pure Tone Audiometry in Pakistan
What is Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and how is it different from a basic hearing screening?
Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is a comprehensive diagnostic hearing test that measures your exact hearing threshold at 7+ frequencies (250 Hz to 8,000 Hz) for each ear separately, using both air conduction and bone conduction methods. It produces a detailed audiogram showing the type and degree of hearing loss. A basic hearing screening is a quick pass/fail check at 2–3 frequencies — it can identify a problem but cannot diagnose the type or degree of loss. All audiological decisions at Ideal Hearing Care Center are based on full PTA testing, not screening.
How long does a PTA hearing test take in Rawalpindi?
A full Pure Tone Audiometry test takes approximately 20–30 minutes per patient at Ideal Hearing Care Center, Rawalpindi. When combined with Tympanometry (5 minutes) and Speech Audiometry (10–15 minutes) — which together form the complete diagnostic audiological battery — the full appointment takes 45–60 minutes. Results and audiogram interpretation are provided the same day.
How do I read my audiogram after a PTA test?
Your audiogram is a graph with frequency (Hz) on the horizontal axis and hearing level (dB) on the vertical axis. The lower a symbol on the graph, the worse the hearing at that frequency. O symbols represent the right ear; X symbols represent the left ear. Thresholds between 0–25 dB are normal; 26–40 dB is mild loss; 41–55 dB is moderate; 56–70 dB is moderately severe; 71–90 dB is severe; 91+ dB is profound. Your audiologist will explain your specific results in plain language.
Can I get a PTA test in Rawalpindi without a doctor's referral?
Yes. No referral is needed to book a PTA hearing test at Ideal Hearing Care Center. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You can also book via phone (051-6137199) or WhatsApp (0328-0000510). Same-day appointments are usually available.
Are PTA audiograms from Ideal Hearing Care Center accepted by hospitals in Islamabad?
Yes. Audiograms from Ideal Hearing Care Center are accepted by ENT departments at PIMS Islamabad, Shifa International Hospital, CMH Rawalpindi, Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi, and private ENT specialists across the twin cities. Our audiometer is calibrated to international ISO standards and our audiograms include all required clinical data for ENT referrals and cochlear implant candidacy assessments.
Visit Ideal Hearing Care Center — Rawalpindi & Islamabad's Most Trusted Audiologist
Office #1, Ground Floor, Opposite Gate #1 Holy Family Hospital, Rajput Street, E-Block Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. Serving patients from Satellite Town, Saddar, Bahria Town, Faizabad, Saidpur Road, Raja Bazar, Cantt, and all of Islamabad. Open Mon–Sat: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Call 051-6137199 | WhatsApp 0328-0000510.