Types of Hearing Loss

Near Normal/ Borderline ( 21-25 dB)

  • Hears almost everything well, but may have to listen very care fully in important listening situations.
  •  Might create some problems if communication is very important.
  • Is more of a problem if  hearing in the high pitches is poor.

Mild Hearing Loss (26-40 dB)

  • Understanding speech can be difficult.
  • Hears well in a quiet room when listening to one or two people
  •  Has difficulty hearing and understanding soft-speaking   individuals  e.g. woman and children
  •  Has difficulty understanding in a noisy environment.

Moderate Hearing Loss (41 — dB)

  • Listening is a strain. Sustained attention is difficult.
  • Has trouble hearing and understanding in ideal situations.
  • Understands speech at relatively close distances      without great difficulty.
  • Has substantial difficulty understanding in noisy conditions.
  • Must have wordings repeated often.

Moderately Severe Hearing Loss (56 — 70 dB)

  •  Hears only when speaker is within 3-5 feet.
  • Communicates with great difficult under all conditions.
  • Appears to “not pay attention”.

 

Severe Hearing Loss (71 — 90 dB)

  •  Identifies environmental noises.
  • Distinguishes vowels but not consonants.
  • Appears to be totally ignoring communication.
  •  Hears loud voices 1 foot from the ear.

Profound Hearing Loss (91 dB)

  • Considered deaf. Hears some loud sounds.
  •  Does not rely on hearing as primary channel for   communication.

 

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