International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What does a markedly sloping audiogram indicate?

1. Thresholds improve in higher frequencies

2. Thresholds are equal across all frequencies

3. Thresholds fall off at about 15-20 dB per octave in higher frequencies

4. Normal or near normal hearing thresholds

The correct answer is: Thresholds fall off at about 15-20 dB per octave in higher frequencies

A markedly sloping audiogram indicates that there is a significant decline in hearing sensitivity at higher frequencies, typically showing a decrease of about 15-20 decibels per octave. This pattern often suggests presbycusis, which is age-related hearing loss, or could be indicative of noise-induced hearing loss. In such cases, individuals might hear lower frequencies better than higher frequencies. Therefore, this noticeable drop in thresholds at those higher frequencies is what characterizes a markedly sloping audiogram, helping audiologists to assess and interpret the nature of a patient's hearing loss effectively. Other patterns, like thresholds improving in higher frequencies, would imply a different type of hearing loss that is less common, while equal thresholds across all frequencies or normal or near-normal hearing thresholds would not correspond with the characteristic drop seen in a markedly sloping audiogram.