Hearing Loss affects millions of people worldwide, but because it isn’t always visible, the everyday challenges people face often go unnoticed. The solution isn’t just about “turning up the volume” it’s much more complicated than that. That’s why hearing professionals around the world have set a universal framework to measure and understand how hearing loss is experienced. Recognising the 4 levels of hearing loss will help us to develop empathy and create a more inclusive world for everyone.
Mild, Moderate, Severe, Profound
The four levels of hearing loss—mild, moderate, severe, and profound—are based on how softly someone can hear. Sound is measured in Decibels (dB) and if someone struggles to hear sounds softer than 26–40 dB, they are said to have mild hearing loss.
Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound levels come with their own unique challenges. In this article, we take a look at what life is like at each level.
1. Mild Hearing Loss (26-40 dB)
With mild hearing loss, you might catch most of what’s going on, but you’re straining to fill in the gaps. Quiet sounds—like whispers or someone talking in another room—start to fade away.
Everyday Struggles:
- Ever been in a busy café and felt like you’re only catching half the conversation? That’s mild hearing loss in action.
- Soft sounds, like birds chirping or leaves rustling, might just disappear from your world.
- You might find yourself asking, “Sorry, can you say that again?” more often than you’d like.
2. Moderate Hearing Loss (41-60 dB)
Things get trickier at this level. You’re not just missing the quiet stuff anymore. Even regular conversations can be hard to follow, especially if there’s any background noise.
Everyday Struggles:
- Group chats or noisy family dinners? Forget it—it’s a struggle to keep up without some serious concentration (or hearing aids).
- You might not notice the doorbell, a ringing phone, or even a timer going off in the kitchen.
- People with softer voices—kids, for example—can be really hard to hear clearly.
3. Severe Hearing Loss (61-80 dB)
At this stage, hearing aids become less of an option and more of a necessity. Without them, most sounds—like normal conversation—just aren’t audible.
Everyday Struggles:
- Conversations rely heavily on lip reading, so if someone’s not facing you, good luck!
- Loud noises, like music or traffic, might still come through, but they’re muffled and unclear.
- Social events can feel exhausting or isolating because understanding others takes so much effort.
4. Profound Hearing Loss (81+ dB)
This is the most extreme level of hearing loss, where even the loudest sounds—like sirens or shouting—are barely, if at all, noticeable. Communication often relies entirely on sign language, lip reading, or written text.
Everyday Struggles:
- Alarms and sirens are easily missed, which can create serious safety concerns.
- Conversations without visual or written support? are pretty much impossible.
- The risk of isolation is much higher, as communication becomes a constant challenge.
What can you do?
By using this universal framework, professionals everywhere help people to understand their hearing needs and find the right solution, be it communication strategies, hearing aids, or even cochlear implants.
Now you understand the 4 levels of hearing loss, it’s time to think about some of the simple things that you can do.
For example…
- Get their attention and face the person when talking.
- Speak clearly, without shouting or using exaggerated gestures.
- If it’s possible, go somewhere quiet or reduce the background noise.
Small adjustments like these can make a world of difference for someone who’s struggling to hear, and you will feel better too, knowing that you have been heard first time!
Visit our website or click on the link below to find out more about Alexander Graham Bell and the Decible scale
Interesting Stuff – The Decibel scale
