Have you ever pondered your hearing health and the numbers on your hearing test? Just like your eye doctor measures your vision, audiologists use decibels to gauge your hearing loss. But what do these degrees of hearing loss truly mean for your daily life? Let’s dive into this guide:
0-15 dB (Decibels): The World of Normal Hearing
In this range, your hearing is like a well-tuned orchestra. But wait, there’s more to explore!
16–25 dB (Decibels): Normal Hearing (Adults) & Minimal Degree Hearing Loss (Children)
This category is a bit of a chameleon, adjusting based on age. Adults typically fall within the ‘normal’ range, while children might experience minimal hearing loss. For kids, we play it safe to ensure their hearing supports their education. Here, the choice of hearing aids depends on various factors, not just the numbers.
26–40 dB (Decibels): Mild Degree Hearing Loss
At this level, whispers may start to fade, and you could miss up to 40% of speech sounds. You might also find listening more tiring. For children, distractions may come more easily, especially in group settings. Hearing aids could be recommended, guided by your personal experiences.
41–55 dB (Decibels): Moderate Hearing Loss
With moderate hearing loss, you might miss a whopping 50-100% of the speech signal. Visual cues may become essential for conversations. Hearing aids usually step in to bridge the gap. Without them, understanding normal-volume speech can be a real challenge, impacting daily interactions.
56–70 dB (Decibels): Moderately-Severe Hearing Loss
At this level, conversations should ideally happen face-to-face, away from background noise. TV volumes tend to skyrocket, and communication can become exhausting. Strongly recommended are hearing aids, and we might suggest communication strategies to enhance conversations.
71–90 dB (Decibels): Severe Hearing Loss
Communication becomes a real test of vocal strength at this stage. You’ll need to raise your voice significantly to connect with someone experiencing this degree of hearing loss. Appropriate hearing aids are strongly recommended.
91+ dB (Decibels): Profound Hearing Loss
With profound hearing loss, important sounds like fire alarms can slip through the cracks. Verbal communication without hearing aids is nearly impossible. Additional hearing aids might be necessary.
This guide is your roadmap to understanding what to expect with hearing loss, depending on its degree. However, treating hearing loss isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Most cases involve a mix of degrees, and it’s not just about the numbers.
At our audiology clinic in Orleans, we look beyond the numbers to determine the best treatment plan. Your subjective experience and reported difficulties matter more than the degree of hearing loss itself.
Keep in mind, two patients with identical hearing loss may have vastly different experiences. That’s why consulting with an audiologist who understands your unique story is crucial for achieving the best results in your acoustic rehabilitation.
If you’re facing hearing difficulties or seeking more insights about your hearing loss, connect with Echo Audiology in Orléans. Our audiologists will decode your results, help you understand them, and if necessary craft a personalized hearing rehabilitation solution tailored just for you!
