When asked to provide the pure tone average from an audiogram, which frequencies should be added together?

The pure tone average (PTA) is an important metric used in audiology to assess hearing ability over a range of speech frequencies. The correct approach to calculating the PTA involves averaging the hearing thresholds at frequencies that are most relevant to human speech.

To determine the PTA, one typically focuses on the frequencies of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz. By averaging the thresholds at these frequencies, practitioners can gain insights into a patient's hearing capabilities in the frequency range that is crucial for understanding speech.

The choice to add these specific frequencies reflects the contribution of low, mid-range, and slightly higher frequencies which are essential for speech clarity. After adding the thresholds for the selected frequencies, the result is then divided by the number of frequencies, which in this case is three, to obtain the average threshold.

Thus, focusing on 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz and dividing by three, as indicated in the correct answer, provides a standard method for determining the PTA. Understanding this approach is vital for effective hearing assessment and management strategies.