An audiogram helps diagnose various hearing-related diseases and conditions based on the pattern of hearing loss, the type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed), and other test results. Below is a list of diseases or conditions commonly diagnosed with the help of an audiogram, with examples and their audiometric features.

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

Occurs when sound is blocked in the outer or middle ear.

Diseases:

Otitis Media with Effusion:

• Audiogram Pattern: Flat hearing loss (mild to moderate) across frequencies with an air-bone gap.

• Example: A child with ear infections showing Type B tympanogram and flat hearing loss.

Otosclerosis:

• Audiogram Pattern: Rising or flat hearing loss with an air-bone gap. Often affects low frequencies initially.

• Example: A middle-aged patient with progressive hearing loss and a Carhart notch (bone conduction dip at 2000 Hz).

Eardrum Perforation:

• Audiogram Pattern: Mild to moderate hearing loss with a large air-bone gap and increased ear canal volume.

• Example: A history of trauma or chronic infections with a Type B tympanogram.

Cerumen Impaction (Earwax):

• Audiogram Pattern: Mild, flat conductive hearing loss that resolves after wax removal.

• Example: A patient with sudden hearing loss after using cotton swabs.

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

Results from damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve.

Diseases:

Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss):

• Audiogram Pattern: Bilateral, symmetrical sloping high-frequency hearing loss (worse at 4000–8000 Hz).

• Example: An elderly person struggling with speech in noisy environments.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL):

• Audiogram Pattern: A characteristic “notch” at 3000–6000 Hz, with normal or near-normal low and high frequencies.

• Example: A factory worker or musician with long-term noise exposure.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL):

• Audiogram Pattern: Unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss across all frequencies.

• Example: A person experiencing sudden hearing loss in one ear, often with tinnitus or vertigo.

Meniere’s Disease:

• Audiogram Pattern: Fluctuating low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, progressing to a flat loss over time.

• Example: A patient with episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and aural fullness.

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma):

• Audiogram Pattern: Asymmetrical SNHL, worse in one ear, often affecting high frequencies. Poor speech discrimination may be present.

• Example: A patient with one-sided hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Involves both conductive and sensorineural components.

Diseases:

Chronic Otitis Media with Cholesteatoma:

• Audiogram Pattern: Conductive loss with a possible sensorineural component due to inner ear damage.

• Example: A patient with a long history of ear infections and foul-smelling discharge.

Otosclerosis (Advanced Stage):

• Audiogram Pattern: Mixed hearing loss with an air-bone gap and progression to SNHL over time.

• Example: A patient with hearing loss and a family history of similar conditions.

4. Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD)

Occurs when the brain has difficulty processing sound despite normal peripheral hearing.

Conditions:

CAPD in Children:

• Audiogram Pattern: Normal pure tone thresholds with difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.

• Example: A child with normal hearing but struggles academically with listening tasks.

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD):

• Audiogram Pattern: Varies, but often shows poor speech discrimination despite normal or near-normal thresholds.

• Example: A patient with difficulty understanding speech even with hearing aids.

5. Genetic or Congenital Hearing Loss

Hearing loss due to genetic mutations or congenital conditions.

Conditions:

Congenital SNHL (e.g., Connexin 26 Mutation):

• Audiogram Pattern: Severe to profound SNHL, often symmetrical.

• Example: A newborn failing hearing screenings.

Usher Syndrome:

• Audiogram Pattern: Progressive SNHL, typically sloping, with associated vision loss.

• Example: A young adult with night blindness and worsening hearing.

Pendred Syndrome:

• Audiogram Pattern: Bilateral SNHL with poor thresholds that worsen with age.

• Example: A child with enlarged vestibular aqueducts on imaging.

6. Ototoxicity

Hearing loss is caused by medications or chemicals toxic to the inner ear.

Drugs: 

Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin),

Cisplatin:

• Audiogram Pattern: Bilateral high-frequency SNHL.

• Example: A cancer patient or someone treated for severe infections experiencing gradual hearing loss.

7. Functional (Non-Organic) Hearing Loss

No organic cause for hearing loss; often psychological.

• Audiogram Pattern: Inconsistent or exaggerated thresholds. Speech discrimination may not match pure-tone results.

• Example: A patient reporting significant hearing loss but responds to soft conversational speech.

8. Syndromic Hearing Loss

Hearing loss associated with systemic disorders.

Conditions:

Alport Syndrome:

• Audiogram Pattern: Progressive SNHL, often sloping.

• Example: A young patient with kidney issues and progressive hearing loss.

Turner Syndrome:

• Audiogram Pattern: Conductive or SNHL, depending on associated middle ear or cochlear abnormalities.

• Example: A female patient with short stature and recurrent ear infections.