What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid？

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What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid？

Occasional difficulty hearing is a common experience, particularly in noisy environments or when speaking with someone who speaks softly. However, if you are frequently experiencing hearing difficulties, it could be an indication of hearing loss. It's important to note that hearing loss varies from person to person and can change over time. Identifying the extent of your hearing loss is crucial in determining whether or not you require a hearing aid.

To learn more about the various degrees of hearing loss and when it is appropriate to consider a hearing aid, continue reading.

How is hearing loss defined?

Hearing loss, also known as hearing impairment or deafness, is a medical condition that affects a person's ability to perceive and understand sounds to varying degrees. It is typically defined based on the degree or severity of the hearing impairment and the frequencies or pitches of sounds that are affected. Hearing loss can be categorized in several ways:

Degree of Hearing Loss:

Normal hearing: Hearing thresholds within the range of 0 to 20 decibels (dB) across all frequencies.
Mild hearing loss: Hearing thresholds between 21 and 40 dB. People with mild hearing loss may have difficulty hearing soft or distant sounds.
Moderate hearing loss: Hearing thresholds between 41 and 70 dB. Conversations may be difficult to understand without amplification.
Severe hearing loss: Hearing thresholds between 71 and 90 dB. Even with hearing aids, communication can be challenging.
Profound hearing loss: Hearing thresholds of 91 dB or higher. Individuals with profound hearing loss may have little to no functional hearing without significant assistance.

Type of Hearing Loss:

Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the conduction of sound through the outer or middle ear, such as earwax blockage, ear infections, or damage to the eardrum or middle ear bones.
Sensorineural hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It is often permanent and can be caused by aging, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, or genetic factors.
Mixed hearing loss: Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Configuration of Hearing Loss:

Flat hearing loss: When the hearing loss is relatively uniform across different frequencies.
Sloping hearing loss: When hearing loss is more pronounced at higher or lower frequencies.
High-frequency hearing loss: When the loss predominantly affects high-pitched sounds.
Low-frequency hearing loss: When the loss predominantly affects low-pitched sounds.

What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss can be caused by various factors, some of which are within our control and others that are not. Presbycusis, the natural ageing process of hearing, is the most common cause of hearing loss among the elderly. Unfortunately, we do not have any control over this aspect as the number of hair-like cells in our cochlea, responsible for our hearing, is predetermined at birth. As we age, these cells gradually die or wear out, causing our hearing range to narrow.

On the other hand, noise exposure is the most significant cause of hearing loss that we can control. The World Health Organization recommends that young people limit their exposure to loud sounds and personal audio players to only one hour a day. Exposure to loud industrial noise or listening to very loud sounds can cause trauma to the hair cells in the cochlea, leading to permanent damage.

Apart from ageing and noise exposure, other factors that can contribute to hearing loss include genetics, infections, birth complications, trauma to the ear, ototoxic medication, chemical toxins, certain infections during pregnancy, poor diet, and central or auditory processing disorders.

When does hearing loss require a hearing aid?

When hearing loss affects a person's ability to communicate and participate in daily activities, it may require the use of a cic hearing aid. The severity of the hearing loss and its impact on the person's quality of life are crucial factors in determining if a hearing aid is necessary.

Failing to treat hearing loss can lead to a higher risk of developing dementia, as the brain gradually loses its ability to process auditory information. This is primarily due to the absence of regular sound stimulation that we naturally receive even when not engaged in conversation. If one consciously attempts to identify all the sounds present in a seemingly quiet room, it becomes apparent that silence is not as silent as it initially seems.

We highly recommend the use of SmartU Rechargeable Hearing Aids and suggest correcting hearing loss as early as possible to avoid the many cognitive problems associated with long-term untreated hearing loss.