What Level of Hearing Loss Requires A Hearing Aid?
Everyone has trouble hearing sometimes. Noisy environments and soft-spoken people can make it difficult to understand conversation even if you have “normal” hearing. But if you notice you can’t hear as well as you used to, that everyone seems to mumble, and conversation is generally hard to follow, you should speak with a hearing healthcare provider.
Just as every person is different, so is every hearing loss. Determining which level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid begins with a hearing test.
Levels of Hearing Loss
There are a few different levels of hearing loss, all measured in decibels (dBs).
- Mild: 26-40 dB
- Moderate: 41-70 dB
- Severe: 71-90 dB
- Profound: 91+ dB
When you have your hearing examined, an audiogram will be generated to visually show you where your hearing loss sits on a graph. Your hearing specialist will explain your results and let you know what degree of hearing loss you have (mild, moderate, severe, or profound).
When Is A Hearing Aid Necessary?
It is recommended that a hearing aid be used if your hearing loss falls in the mild to moderate range (26-70 dBs). Although you may feel like you can still hear fine, a mild hearing loss can affect your communication skills and cognitive abilities.
For individuals with severe or profound hearing loss, a hearing aid can help, however, depending on your exact hearing needs and the functioning of your cochlea, a cochlear implant may be necessary.
Hearing Aids Help With Every Day Sounds
Even in mild cases of hearing loss, you may be missing out on every day sounds that you don’t even realize, from bird songs to the hum of the refrigerator. Soft sounds, such as women and children’s voices are also harder to hear with hearing loss.
Hearing aids are designed to provide the wearer with clarity and the subtle sounds that they have been missing. There are many different types and styles of hearing aids available today, all of which can greatly impact quality of life.
Don’t Wait to Manage Hearing Loss
It’s better to treat the signs of hearing loss sooner than later. The longer you wait, the worse your hearing can become and the harder it can be to recognize certain words. Studies have also shown a direct correlation between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline (dementia).
At Hearing Unlimited, we can help you find the right hearing aid for your unique hearing needs. We carry a variety of hearing aids for the people of Monroeville, Pittsburgh, Clairton, and Irwin. Contact us today to schedule a hearing exam and start hearing your best again!
