What does a flat audiogram indicate?

A flat audiogram indicates that an individual has consistent hearing sensitivity across a range of frequencies. This means that the hearing thresholds are relatively uniform, showing minimal variation between low, mid, and high frequencies. In practical terms, someone with a flat audiogram would hear sounds equally well at all frequencies tested, suggesting no significant dips or peaks in hearing ability at specific pitches.

In contrast, the other choices describe scenarios of hearing loss or detection that do not match the definition of a flat audiogram. A flat audiogram directly reflects an equal level of hearing sensitivity regardless of frequency, which differentiates it from patterns where only low or high frequencies are affected, or where hearing loss may be entirely absent. Understanding the nature of a flat audiogram is crucial in audiometric assessments and helps in appropriate treatment planning or hearing aid fitting.