At what percentage of hearing loss do you need a hearing aid?

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Do you ask people to speak louder when you’re having a conversation? Do you have difficulty hearing sound coming from your TV? Are you finding it hard to follow conversations at work?

You might be experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.

This is totally normal as many people struggle with mild hearing loss, regardless of age, as young adults, as well as the elderly, can suffer from hearing loss.

If you’re finding it difficult to hear speech or sounds in your everyday life, you might need hearing aids to determine the right treatment so you can experience normal hearing again. 

What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss can be impacted by a range of conditions and factors. For example, age related hearing loss can occur as you get older, as it’s the most common type of hearing loss that a person can experience. Normal hearing can also be impacted if you’re constantly surrounded by loud sounds and background noise that can damage human hearing in your daily life.

You could also find yourself with mild hearing loss if you struggle to hear normal conversation if something is blocking sounds from reaching your inner ear.

For example, when experiencing hearing loss, you may notice that it takes you a while to understand speech in social situations or if you’re listening to music at a higher volume with earbuds it could result in a buildup of earwax, which could prevent sounds from reaching your ears.

How is hearing loss measured and diagnosed?

If you’re having trouble hearing or if you suspect you might have mild hearing loss, it’s best to contact a health professional.

To diagnose you with appropriate treatment or hearing aids, you’ll need to undergo some form of the hearing test. An audiogram or online hearing test will be able to determine your level of hearing impairment at different frequencies such as high pitched sounds. Your hearing will be measured from mild to profound using decibels to categorise the range of human hearing.

Untreated hearing loss can result in negative experiences in social situations and everyday life, which is why it’s important to get tested early.

What are the levels of hearing loss?

There are many degrees of hearing loss that can be detected through a hearing test, which determines your hearing ability and tests how you hear sounds. It could range from mild to moderately severe, which is diagnosed according to your hearing test results.

Each level of hearing loss is categorised as below:

• Mild hearing loss is 25 to 40 dB
• Moderate hearing loss is 41 to 55 dB
• Moderate-severe hearing loss is 56 to 70 dB
• Severe hearing loss is 71 to 90 dB
• Profound hearing loss is greater than 90 dB

When does hearing loss require a hearing aid?

You might be asking yourself, when do I need a hearing aid?

Through the advancement of hearing aid technology and getting your hearing tested early, you can choose the hearing aids that best suit your needs without the need for further medical treatment.

There are a range of hearing aids that are available such as behind the ear options, which allow for more hearing control as well as invisible options that are placed inside your inner ear canal.

The available options for you to choose from are endless when it comes to living with a mild loss of hearing. You don’t have to ask someone to speak louder when you’re trying to hear speech or resort to lip reading, you can experience normal hearing with the right treatment from qualified health professionals.

Find out more about hearing loss

If you’re wondering whether or not you need hearing aids in your daily life, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Ace Audiology.

We will provide medical advice that best suits your needs and lifestyle. You can trust to get quality treatment from a hearing care professional and audiologist when you book an appointment with us.

So what’re you waiting for? 

Get in touch with us through our website or call our Bulleen Clinic on (03) 9850 8888 or our Ivanhoe Clinic on (03) 9440 9409 so we can assist you as soon as possible.

How do I know if I really need a hearing aid?

Is it worth getting a hearing aid for mild hearing loss?

What decibel hearing loss requires a hearing aid?

Does all hearing loss require a hearing aid?