Hearing Loss
Symptoms of a hearing loss
Here are some of the most common symptoms indicating hearing loss:
- Trouble understanding speech that originates far away, such as in concert halls, theatres or churches
- Difficulty hearing a phone ring
- Difficulty hearing when in a group of people or in the presence of background noise, such as traffic
- Avoiding social gatherings and other public occasions where they might feel embarrassed about misunderstanding others
- Asking you or others to repeat themselves because they have trouble understanding what is being said
- Turning their head or cupping their ear to focus on a certain sound or speaker
- Watching television or listening to the radio at a much louder volume than you or others normally do
Having your hearing evaluated: Hearing Test Modesto/Turlock
Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right. Hearing loss is measured in decibels and is described in general categories not in percentages. The general hearing loss categories used by most hearing professionals are as follows:
- Normal hearing (0 to 25 dB HL)
- Mild hearing loss (26-40 dB HL)
- Moderate hearing loss (41 to 70 dB HL)
- Severe hearing loss (71to 90dB HL)
- Profound hearing loss (greater than 91 dB HL)
If you know someone with a hearing loss
If you know someone with a hearing loss, you've probably already witnessed some of the typical reactions which are frustration, denial and sometimes anger. Many studies have shown that hearing loss is more than a personal inconvenience.
It not only affects the person with the hearing loss, it has an impact on all those with whom they interact - their families, friends and colleagues. The good news is that when hearing loss is detected and treated, people report significant improvements in many areas of their lives.
