Hearing loss is a reduction in hearing as depicted on the audiogram. It is considered a drop below 20 or 25 dBHL.
Depending on the degree of hearing loss, various challenges arise. At times, consonants and phonemes are not accurately discerned. In several instances, syllables may be unclear, leading to confusion between the /b/ and /g/ phonemes. Frequently, individuals with hearing loss find themselves in a situation where they must guess the word to comprehend the conversation.
This pictures shows the HL. The degrees may vary.
Hearing Loss | Audiogram | Perception of HL | |
---|---|---|---|
Normal hearing |
All sounds are audible <20 dBHL |
Speech is understood even In noisy environment | |
Mild |
Hearing loss is between 20- 40dBHL |
Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environment | |
Moderate |
Hearing loss is between 41-70dBHL |
Difficulty understanding speech during conversation | |
Severe |
Hearing loss is between 71- 95dBHL |
Extremely difficult to understand speech without hearing aid | |
Profound |
Hearing loss is above 95 dBHL |
Hearing aid or cochlear implant is necessary |
The child has difficulty hearing low intensity speech especially in noisy environments
Difficulty of hearing even when close
The child can only hear very loud sounds such as sirens, slumping doors etc
The child perceives very loud sounds as vibration.
dBHL
Are there different types of hearing loss?
Yes. There are 3 basic types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss and much more rarely mixed hearing loss
It usually occurs when there is a dysfunction or a pathological condition related to the outer and inner ear
Some causes are:
In these cases, the sound cannot be transmitted normally to the cochlea, which is the main organ of hearing.
In sensorineural hearing loss there is a disorder in the cochlea or auditory pathway that carries sound to the brain.
Sensorineural hearing loss is defined by:
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing. The causes of mixed hearing loss are different from the causes listed above
There are both hereditary and acquired factors associated with hearing loss.
Symptoms associated with congenital hearing loss can occur
Approximately 70% of all mutations that cause hearing loss are non-syndromic. This means that the person has no other symptoms.
About 30% of mutations that cause hearing loss are syndromic. This means that the person has symptoms other than hearing loss.
(Read more: here and here)
Acquired factors and other factors include:
Dr Katerina Vardonikolaki
MD, PhD, Otolaryngologist (ENT)
Certified Doctor by Performing Arts Medicine Association
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