What is hearing loss ?
Our hearing organs perceive sound as pitch and loudness, respectively as frequency and intensity.
Hearing loss refers to the reduced ability to perceive sounds from the environment, and can be categorized into mild, moderate, moderately-severe, severe, and profound.
Different levels of hearing loss can bring different degree of handicap in real life.
NORMAL: Hearing threshold is below or equal to 25 dB HL, is able to hear soft level of sound and speech.
MILD: Hearing threshold is between or equal to 26 to 40 dB HL, is able to hear general level of speech; but has difficulty in perceiving soft sounds and speech.
MODERATE: Hearing threshold is between or equal to 41 to 55 dB HL, can vaguely perceive everyday speech unless the level is slightly raised. Hearing difficulty is especially apparent in noisy environments.
MODERATELY-SEVERE: Hearing threshold is between or equal to 56 to 70 dB HL, can only perceive raised level of speech, but not in whole. Noise is only heard in noisy environments.
SEVERE: Hearing threshold is between or equal to 71 to 90 dB HL, cannot even perceive loud speech, maybe able to hear cars honking at times. This level of hearing loss posts a strong threat to daily life.
PROFOUND: Hearing threshold is equal to or above 91 dB HL, almost have no perception of sounds. Would only be able to hear noise from construction sites and feel the vibration of sounds.
Getting to know … Hearing Loss
Sound waves first collected by the outer ear, spread to the eardrum by vibration and to the inner ear …
Can be categorized into 3 types: Conductive, Sensorineural and Mixed…
Approximately 500 million individuals in all age groups have hearing loss worldwide. According to WHO, while 360 million ( 5.3% of the world’s population) of whom has moderate to profound hearing loss…
Often treated medically, surgically, by hearing aids or by cochlear implants…
