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.