How bad is your hearing loss?

Hearing loss probably affects more people than you realise. This is because people tend to think that you’re either deaf or not, but the reality is there are varying degrees of hearing loss which can affect people in different ways.

Hearing loss in the UK

It’s estimated there are around 12 million people in the UK who are either Deaf or have difficulty hearing, but this figure might be lower than the reality, as a lot of people with minor hearing loss don’t feel like they need to report it.

This is a mistake. As a general rule, the sooner a hearing issue is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment is. Some conditions of course can’t be treated, unfortunately, but the fact is, you don’t know until you see a professional.

It’s important to have your hearing checked regularly and to see a healthcare professional if you suspect your hearing isn’t what it used to be.

Levels of hearing loss

To determine whether you suffer from hearing loss, an audiologist will perform a hearing test on you. This isn’t anything intrusive or painful, but simply a test to see how loud sounds have to be before you can hear them.

The test is measured in decibels of hearing loss, or dB HL. Normal hearing has a dB HL range of minus 10 (-10) to 15.

Mild

Mild hearing loss is classified as having a dB HL range of 26 to 40. This level of hearing loss might make it difficult to hear conversations when there’s a lot of background noise. It’s similar to what a person with normal hearing would experience if they stuck their fingers in their ears.

Moderate

Moderate hearing loss encompasses the dB HL range of 41 to 55. With this level of hearing loss, you may have trouble hearing some consonant and vowel sounds when someone is talking. In other words: You’re able to hear, but you’ll struggle to understand everything.

Moderately Severe

In moderately severe hearing loss, the dB HL range is from 56 to 70. Without hearing aids, people with this level of hearing loss cannot hear another person talking. Even with hearing aids, speech may sometimes be difficult to hear and understand.

Severe

Severe hearing loss is when the dB HL ranges from 71 to 90. Without hearing aids or cochlear implants, someone with this level of hearing loss cannot hear speech.

Profound

Profound hearing loss encompasses any dB HL of 91 and above. Without hearing aids or cochlear implants, someone with this degree of hearing loss may not even be able to hear loud sounds like airplane engines or fire alarms.

Get your hearing checked

Hearing loss can creep up on a person, especially if it happens over time. This gradual loss can go unnoticed by the person suffering, but will definitely be noticed by their loved ones!

If someone tells you that you need to get your ears checked or you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, then it’s time to make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

If hearing loss comes on suddenly, then see a professional as soon as possible – time is a factor in fixing the problem. The earlier you deal with your hearing loss, the better your prognosis will likely be, so don’t hang about!