What does the X-axis on an audiogram typically represent?

The X-axis on an audiogram represents frequency, which is measured in hertz (Hz). This axis typically spans a range from low frequencies (around 125 Hz) on the left to high frequencies (up to 8000 Hz or 10000 Hz) on the right. Understanding the frequency aspect is crucial in audiometry as it helps indicate which frequencies the patient can hear or has difficulty hearing.

The arrangement of frequencies on the X-axis allows hearing care professionals to assess the nature of the hearing impairment, whether it be a flat loss, a sloping loss, or a specific dip at certain frequencies. This information is indispensable for tailoring auditory rehabilitation strategies, such as fitting hearing aids, to the specific needs of the patient.

The other options pertain to different aspects of audiological assessment but do not describe the X-axis of an audiogram. For instance, intensity is represented on the Y-axis, and while speech levels and patient responses are significant in audiological evaluations, they do not correspond to the representation of frequency on the X-axis.