What phrase best describes the measure of average air thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz?

The phrase that best describes the measure of average air thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz is known as the Pure Tone Average. This term refers specifically to the calculation of the average hearing level across these three critical frequencies.

The significance of these frequencies lies in their association with the speech frequencies that are vital for understanding spoken language. By averaging the thresholds at these points, audiologists can obtain a clearer picture of an individual's hearing sensitivity within the range most relevant to communication.

Pure Tone Average is utilized in clinical audiology to determine the degree of hearing loss and to help fit hearing aids appropriately. This average helps create a baseline for comparing an individual's hearing ability to normative data, guiding further interventions or treatments.