Degrees of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss results from various causes such as trauma, ear infections, blockage of ear canal, ototoxic drugs, etc. It causes partial or total inability to hear the sound in one or both ears. The major types of hearing loss are sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, central hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. Hearing loss may be of various degrees.

It is very important to determine the degrees of hearing loss, in order to seek an appropriate treatment. The degree of hearing loss explains the severity of hearing inability. There are five levels of hearing loss. These levels represent the lowest intensity at which sound is heard. Hearing threshold of 0-25 decibels (dB) is considered as normal and there is no difficulty in hearing normal speech.

• Hearing threshold between 26-40 dB represents mild hearing loss. There may be difficulty in hearing soft conversations and speech, but can be managed in silent environments.
• If hearing threshold is 41-55 dB, then it is considered as moderate degree of hearing loss. It causes difficulty in understanding the conversational speech, particularly when there is background noise. A person requires higher volume to hear radio or television.
• Hearing threshold of 56-70 dB represents moderate to severe hearing loss, due to which clarity of speech is remarkably affected. A person requires loud speech and may have difficulty in group conversations.
• Hearing threshold between 71-90 dB is known as severe hearing loss. A person may find it difficult to hear normal or even loud conversational speech. Only shouted or amplified speech can be understood.
• If hearing threshold is beyond 91 dB, then the condition is known as profound hearing loss. A person is unable to clearly understand even amplified speech.

Depending upon the degrees of hearing loss, various treatment options are suggested such as hearing aids, speech therapy, speech reading training, counseling, etc.