If you suspect that you might have some degree of hearing loss, you are probably wondering how serious it is. This page will educate you about the different levels of hearing loss and how to seek treatment, no matter what level of hearing loss you may have.
The severity of your hearing loss is usually measured in two ways:
Below are the main categories for hearing loss levels with examples of sounds that might be inaudible at a given level (based on their loudness and pitch).
| Level of hearing loss | Decibel | Symptoms | Sounds you are missing |
| Normal hearing | ≤25 dB | No perceived hearing loss symptoms. | No sounds missing |
| Mild hearing loss | 26-40 dB | Quiet and soft conversation and situations with background noise are difficult to understand. | Ticking clock |
| Moderate hearing loss | 41-60 dB | When you have a moderate hearing loss, the quietest sounds you can hear with your better ear are between 41 and 60 dB. Higher volume levels are required for radio and televisions. | Vacuum cleaner |
| Severe hearing loss | 61-80 dB | When you have a severe hearing loss, the quietest sounds you can hear with your better ear are between 61 and 80 dB. Difficulties with speech and group conversations, comprehension is impossible without amplification. | Baby crying |
| Profound hearing loss | ≥81 dB | When you have a profound hearing loss, the quietest sounds you can hear with your better ear are 81 dB or more. Difficult or impossible to hear and understand amplified devices or speech. | Airplanes |
An audiogram is a graph or chart that displays the results of your comprehensive hearing evaluation.
The X-axis shows the different pitches of the sounds that were played to you during your test. This axis is laid out like piano keys, where low-pitched sounds are on the left and higher pitches are towards the right of the graph.
The Y-axis shows the loudness which increases as you go down the graph. The points on the graph demonstrate how loud the sounds needed to be in order for you to hear at each pitch test.
Circles (red) symbolise your right ear and crosses (blue) symbolise your left ear.
Book a free hearing test to receive your own audiogram results.
Gradual hearing loss is fairly common in the ageing process. But this doesn't mean that it should be ignored!
Since even mild hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and other consequences of untreated hearing loss, all hearing loss should be treated with hearing aids or other treatment options.
If you think you have hearing loss but you've been putting off getting a hearing aid, you're not alone.
Only 1 in 4 people who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them
While taking the first step can be the hardest part, seeking treatment as soon as possible is in your best interest. The Scripps Research Institute has found that hearing loss, when left undiagnosed or untreated, has the potential to worsen over time. Being proactive in seeking treatment in the early stages of hearing loss is therefore beneficial for both your current and long-term hearing health.
Today’s hearing aids are more technologically advanced and more discreet than ever.
Some modern hearing aids are practically invisible, and yet they still offer excellent sound quality even in difficult listening situations.
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Last reviewed 2025-07-01
