Degree of Hearing Loss
Now that we’ve learned about the Type of Hearing Loss, we can start to discuss the Degree. This is the second piece of information that we use to determine what sort of treatment would be best for your ears!
Degree of Hearing Loss – This refers to the severity of the loss. We do not measure hearing loss in percentages, and anyone who says otherwise needs to study!
The table below shows the common classification system for severity. These are the numbers that represent the patient’s hearing loss in volume of sound. In other words, how loud the sound has to be in order for the patient to be able to hear it (this is what we call threshold). And what do we call this measurement? That’s right – Decibels! They are typically measured in increments of 5.
| Degree of Hearing Loss | Hearing loss range (decibels = dB) |
| Normal | -10-20 |
| Slight | 21-25 |
| Mild | 30-40 |
| Moderate | 45-55 |
| Moderately severe | 60-65 |
| Severe | 70-85 |
| Profound | 90+ |
Now that we have learned about the type, and degree of hearing loss, we can begin to learn about the Configuration. Check back next week for the final component of describing and categorizing hearing loss!
“Whether circumstances make one bitter or better depends entirely upon the I.” – Evan Esar