Know The Four Degrees Of Hearing Loss

 

Hearing loss is very individual, and it is the reason for which a specialized exam is necessary to determine the type and degree of loss you may have. Typically, a test for hearing loss consists of listening to a range of tones presented to each ear through earphones or headphones. Your perceived loudness levels of these tones — as measured in decibels (dB) — are recorded on a graph called an audiogram. Perhaps surprisingly, hearing isn’t described as an overall “percentage of loss,” but as the inability to hear a range of different frequencies. That’s why any two people with hearing loss will have very different experiences and needs.

“Frequency” is an important measurement in hearing, quantifying the pitch of sounds from very low (like thunder) to very high (like a squeak or whistle). Often people experience hearing loss at different frequencies — so even when people listen to a range of sounds at exactly the same volume, they hear them differently, or may not be able to hear some of them at all.

To determine the degree of a person’s hearing loss, a hearing care professional can perform threshold testing to determine the lowest dB level at which you can hear a tone at a particular frequency range. Your response to these different frequencies becomes your personal hearing diagnosis. 

There are four general degrees of hearing loss on an audiogram:

Mild (26 – 40 dB HL threshold) 

With mild hearing loss, it’s difficult to hear soft speech or distinguish sounds when there is background noise, putting these listeners at a disadvantage in many everyday social and working situations.

Moderate (41 – 70 dB HL threshold) 

Moderate hearing loss makes it difficult to hear everyday conversations, especially when there is background noise. The TV or radio volume may need to be turned up to be heard clearly. Following conversations takes a lot more effort and may leave you feeling especially tired at the end of the day.

Severe (71 – 90 dB HL threshold)

With severe hearing loss, normal conversations are barely audible. Even louder than normal speech may be difficult to hear or understand. People with severe hearing loss are only able to hear speech when it is amplified — by shouting, turning up the volume, or with the assistance of high-power hearing aids. Social isolation can be a real concern for this population.

Profound (91 dB HL or higher threshold)

People with profound hearing loss may have difficulty understanding even amplified speech. They may avoid conversations and become extremely isolated in both personal and professional situations. This can be devastating if unaddressed.

If you have concerns about your own hearing loss, you should consider a hearing check-up and evaluation from a hearing care provider. Sonic has hearing aid solutions available for hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. These solutions are powerful, discreet and filled with technology that delivers clear, natural sound, while automatically suppressing the background noise that interferes with speech understanding.

Advanced and innovative technology can address a wide variety of challenges that may accompany hearing loss. Find a hearing care center near you, and get the testing and treatment you need to make Everyday Sounds Better.

To book your hearing assessment today, contact your local Sonic partner clinic