Roughly 48 million people in the United States have some degree of hearing loss.1 While incredibly common, the condition is not a one-size-fits-all experience. In this guide, we explain the different degrees of hearing loss and how they impact daily life.
Whether you’re experiencing hearing loss yourself or supporting a loved one, understanding the condition can make all the difference in finding the best solutions for your needs.
Jump ahead to different degrees of hearing loss:
What Are the Degrees of Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is categorized into different degrees of severity. Specialists determine the severity by testing the quietest sounds a person can hear measured in decibels (dB).
Decibels are a unit of measurement that indicates the volume of sounds. Higher decibels mean louder sounds. The louder a sound needs to be before it is heard, the more severe the degree of hearing loss is. For reference, the sound of someone breathing is typically around 10 dB, and a healthy hearing range typically falls between -10 to 15 dB.
The chart below outlines different degrees of hearing loss and the corresponding decibel ranges for the softest sounds a person can hear:
| Degree of hearing loss | Decibels (dB) range of the soft sounds you can hear | Sound range comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 26–40 dB | Ticking of a watch – The hum of the refrigerator |
| Moderate | 41–55 dB | Light rainfall – Ambient background noise in a quiet space |
| Moderately Severe | 56–70 dB | A normal conversation – The noise of a vacuum cleaner |
| Severe | 71–90 dB | City traffic – Power tools |
| Profound | 91+ dB | Sirens, alarms, firecrackers, etc. |
Understanding the level of hearing loss you have is the first step to finding the best treatment options for your unique needs and lifestyle.
Below, we explain these degrees of hearing loss in further detail and list common signs and real-world examples of each.
Mild Hearing Loss (26–40 dB)
It’s common for people to adapt to subtle changes in their hearing without realizing it, so mild hearing loss is often overlooked. People with mild hearing loss may have trouble hearing softer sounds, especially in noisy environments. Conversations in quiet settings might still be manageable, but background noise can make it harder to distinguish some words.
Common sounds that are harder to hear with mild hearing loss include:
- The hum of the refrigerator or other home appliances
- Soft conversations or whispers
- High-pitched voices like those of children and women
- Consonants like “s,” “h,” and “f”
Moderate Hearing Loss (41–55 dB)
Understanding speech at normal conversation levels becomes increasingly more challenging with moderate degrees of hearing loss. At this stage, the signs of hearing loss may be more noticeable to the person experiencing them as well as the people around them.
People with moderate hearing loss may struggle to hear:
- Background music or the TV at low volumes
- Conversations in a noisy environment, like a restaurant
- Speech over the phone
- Noises coming from another room
Moderately Severe Hearing Loss (56–70 dB)
For people with moderately severe hearing loss, speech is much harder to understand at a normal volume, even in quiet environments. People with this degree of hearing loss often require people to repeat themselves, speak louder, and heavily enunciate.
Common signs of moderately severe hearing loss include:
- Only hearing loud speech or sounds
- Turning the volume up to levels that are too loud for others
- Not hearing common sounds like a ringing phone or doorbell
- Relying on lip reading or subtitles to understand conversations
Severe Hearing Loss (71–90 dB)
Severe hearing loss can have a profound impact on everyday life, making it difficult to perceive even loud sounds. For reference, the sound of an alarm clock is around 80 dB, and people with severe degrees of loss can struggle to hear volumes less than 71 dB.
With severe hearing loss, it can be challenging to hear:
- Speech in both quiet and noisy environments
- The dial tone of a landline telephone
- Dogs barking, doorbells, or whistling tea kettles
- Traffic while walking down a busy street
Profound Hearing Loss (91+ dB)
With profound hearing loss, people are likely unable to understand speech or hear very many sounds at all. For instance, a person with profound hearing loss will struggle to hear volumes less than 91 dB, and the sound of a subway train traveling at fast speeds is roughly 95 dB.
This means at close range, dangerously loud sounds like gunshots, firecrackers, or sirens may be audible, but speech clarity is likely nonexistent.
With profound hearing loss, even at close range people will still struggle to hear:
- Motorcycles
- Lawnmowers
- Shouting
- Hair dryers
- Power tools
The Importance of Routine Hearing Exams
Hearing is a cornerstone of our overall health and well-being, yet it’s often overlooked until noticeable issues arise, and symptoms are severe. Attending regular hearing exams is just as important as routine dental cleanings and physical checkups, especially as we age. In fact, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among people between the ages of 20–69 in the United States.2
Below, we explain why routine hearing exams are crucial for maintaining both hearing ability and overall quality of life.
Early Detection
Regular hearing tests allow for the early identification of hearing loss, even before noticeable symptoms appear. Hearing loss often develops gradually and symptoms of mild degrees of the condition can be subtle and easy to overlook. Routine hearing tests can catch these early signs of hearing loss, allowing for timely treatment and management.
By addressing hearing loss as early as possible, you can:
- Prevent further deterioration of your ability to understand speech
- Minimize the impact of hearing loss on your daily life
- Slow age-related cognitive decline by nearly 50%3
- Maintain better overall quality of life
By prioritizing routine hearing exams, you’re taking a proactive approach to your hearing health, enabling early detection, personalized care, and a higher quality of life for years to come.
Ongoing Hearing Care and Support
Regular hearing exams are just the beginning of your hearing health journey. By seeking hearing loss care, you gain access to a comprehensive support system and the personalized treatment options you deserve.
Hearing health is an ongoing journey, and working with experts ensures you receive the best possible care for your unique hearing needs. Whether hearing loss is mild or profound, seeking professional care can make a world of difference in improving daily communication and quality of life.
Get Personalized Hearing Loss Solutions at Audibel
Hearing loss can affect many aspects of daily life, but it doesn’t have to keep you from living each day to the fullest. No matter which degree of hearing loss you have, the hearing care specialists at Audibel are here to help. Our friendly and highly experienced team will work with you to find the best treatment options for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing difficulties, scheduling a hearing test is the first step toward better hearing and a better quality of life.
References
- Hearing Loss Facts and Demographics – HLAA-LA. (n.d.). https://hlaa-la.org/better-hearing/hearing-loss-statistics-and-demographics/
- Quick statistics about hearing, balance, & dizziness. (2024, September 20). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing?_gl=1*8hjmvf*_gcl_au*MTgyNDU3NDU4My4xNzM1NjYyOTM1
- Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk. (2023c, September 14). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk
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