According to the WHO hearing loss grading scale, the details as follow:
●Normal Hearing Loss: -10 ~20dB (No or very slight hearing problems. Able to hear whispers.)
●Mild Hearing loss: 20dB~40dB(Able to hear and repeat words spoken in normal voice at 1 metre.)
●Moderate Hearing Loss: 40~55dB(Able to hear and repeat words spoken in raised voice at 1 metre.)
●Moderately Severe Hearing Loss: 55~70dB(Able to hear some words when shouted into better ear.)
●Severe Hearing Loss: 70~90dB ((Able to hear very few words when shouted into better ear.)
●Profound Hearing Loss: 90~120dB(Unable to hear and understand even a shouted voice.)
Hearing classification is based on the results of pure tone audiometry, which is a subjective test.
Since children (especially those under 5 years old) are often unable to cooperate well with this test, and there are certain differences in hearing threshold and hearing sensitivity between children and adults, the grading criteria here are only applicable to adults, and are only used for clinical reference and epidemiological studies to determine the degree of hearing loss. Therefore, in clinical practice, it should be noted that
(1) Although hearing classification and pure-tone audiometric averages can be used to assess an individual’s hearing condition, they should not be used as the sole reference standard for hearing disability assessment or intervention (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants) selection.
(2) Pure-tone discrimination using headphones in a quiet environment is not in itself a reliable indicator of hearing impairment. In addition, hearing indicators should not be used only to measure the hearing difficulty of hearing impaired people in noisy environments.
(3) For individuals with asymmetric hearing loss and unilateral deafness, appropriate attention and intervention should be provided according to the specific difficulties they are experiencing.
(4) Hearing thresholds refer to the average hearing threshold of the better hearing ear at 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz.
Tips:
In general, hearing loss of 40dB or more in both ears can cause difficulties in communication in daily life and a hearing aid may be recommended after clinical evaluation.
Learn More:
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Post time: Oct-27-2022