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.