Hearing Loss

HEARING LOSS DESCRIPTIONS

CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS
The result of reduced conduction of sound through the outer and/or middle ear to the inner ear. Function of the neural system or hearing nerve is not involved. Most conductive hearing losses can be corrected through medical treatment or surgery. However, some conductive pathologies may persist and require amplification in the form of hearing aids.

SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
Hearing problems which involve either the inner ear or the auditory (hearing) nerve. Most sensorineural hearing losses cannot be resolved by medical treatment. Patients with sensorineural hearing losses typically require amplification in the form of hearing aids.

MIXED HEARING LOSS
A hearing loss having both conductive and sensorineural components which may be treated medically or with amplification or a combination of both.

BILATERAL HEARING LOSS
The presence of hearing loss in both ears.

UNILATERAL HEARING LOSS
The presence of hearing loss in one ear.

DEGREE OF HEARING LOSS

MILD (21 dB – 40 dB) – Causes difficulty hearing soft speech,
speech at a distance, or speech in background noise.

MODERATE (41 dB – 55 dB) – Causes difficulty hearing
conversational speech beyond 5 feet. Increasing difficulty in
group discussions and significant difficulty understanding in
background noise.

MODERATE – SEVERE (56 dB – 70 dB) – Can hear only loud
speech within 3-5 feet. Difficulty understanding conversation using hearing alone even in quiet situations.

SEVERE (71 dB – 90 dB) – Typically will not hear loud speech,
although it may be heard at 1 foot.

PROFOUND (greater than 90 dB) – May hear loud environmental
sounds. Usually does not rely on hearing as primary method of
communication