What are the Degrees of Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss isn’t a one size fits all arrangement. There are different levels, and even when you dive a little deeper into those levels, you’ll find that everyone falls somewhere slightly different on the scale. A person’s hearing is unique to them. The degree of hearing loss that a person is experiencing is influenced by two key measurements.

One is a pure hearing test – that determines how loud a sound needs to be before you can hear it. The other is related to frequency. This will determine your level of pitch – this will show the frequency you can hear. Higher pitch sounds can be more difficult to hear for people that have hearing loss.

How is the degree of hearing loss determined?

While a person may suspect that their level of hearing is beginning to decline, the extent of the hearing loss can only be determined by an audiologist. They’ll be able to carry out tests that look at the level of both the aspects we mentioned above – how loud something has to be before it can be heard, and the range of frequencies that you can hear. From there, they’ll be able to determine your degree of hearing loss.

The degrees of hearing loss

There are five different degrees of hearing loss. They are as follows:

• Slight: This is the lowest level of hearing loss, and for most adults, it won’t present a problem that necessarily needs treatment. It means that you can’t hear sounds quieter than 20dB. Treatment for this condition is usually only sought for children since it can impact their ability to listen and talk.
• Mild: Mild hearing loss applies to those people that have trouble following a conversation when they’re in loud environments, such as a restaurant or cafe. If you find that you’re able to follow a conversation when you’re in a quiet environment, but things are more difficult when you’re in a space with a lot of ambient noise, then you could have mild hearing loss.
• Moderate: Moderate hearing loss can often be problematic because, at this stage, you’ll find that you’re asking people to repeat themselves frequently. This will apply to both in-person and on the phone. People in this bracket usually have the television or radio much louder than is normal, because they’re unable to hear it when it’s being played at a lower volume. 
• Severe: For people with severe hearing loss, hearing people talk will be a challenge or impossible without the use of a hearing aid. It means that they cannot hear sounds that are lower than 70-94dB.
• Profound: This is the highest level of hearing loss. It is difficult to hear anything other than extremely loud noises without the use of a hearing aid.

No matter what level of hearing loss you’re experiencing, there will likely be a solution. Make an appointment with an audiologist, and they’ll be able to assess your current level of hearing and provide treatment options.