Some hearing loss problems are temporary and may simply be due to a build up of wax or a minor infection. If you experience some difficulty with your hearing the first step is to visit your GP who will look in your ears and may also carry out a simple hearing loss test using a tuning fork. Depending on the result of the hearing loss test your GP will refer you to an Audiology clinic at a hospital or health centre.
Here you will be seen by an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doctor and/or an Audiologist who will ask about the background to your hearing loss problems, carry out a physical examination and complete a series of hearing loss tests to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss.
The hearing loss tests are carried out using a puretone audiometer which produces sounds (via headphones) at varying volumes and pitch (frequencies). By listening through the headphones you will be asked to indicate (for each ear) when you can hear the sound produced. The results are plotted on a chart called an audiogram which is a record of your hearing.
Hearing loss is measured in decibels hearing level (dBHL) and is defined by the quietest sound that a person can hear across a range of frequencies. The level at which a person cannot hear a sound of a certain frequency is called the threshold.
The degree or level of hearing loss is categorised according to the person’s average thresholds into five types of loss:
Type of loss | Description according to thresholds |
Normal | Quietest sounds heard are 0 – 20 decibels |
Mild | Quietest sounds heard are 20 – 39 decibels |
Moderate | Quietest sounds heard are 40 – 69 decibels |
Severe | Quietest sounds heard are 70 – 94 decibels |
Profound | Quietest sounds heard average 95 decibels or more |
Hearing loss problems can also be described by their shape or configuration. This refers to the degree of hearing loss at each frequency and the overall picture of hearing that is created on the audiogram. For example, a hearing loss that only affects the high frequencies would be described as a high-frequency loss. Its configuration would show good hearing in the low frequencies and poor hearing in the high frequencies.
On the other hand, if only the low frequencies are affected, the configuration would show poorer hearing for low tones and better hearing for high tones. Some hearing loss configurations are flat, indicating the same amount of hearing loss for low and high tones.
Other terms that your doctor or audiologist may use to describe your hearing loss may include:
- Bilateral – meaning both ears are affected
- Unilateral – only one ear is affected
- Symmetrical – the degree and ‘shape’ of the hearing loss is the same in both ears
- Asymetrical – the level and ‘shape’ of the loss is different for each ear
- Progressive – the hearing loss worsens over a period of time
- Sudden – happens quickly and acutely
- Fluctuating – is typical of conductive hearing loss caused by infection
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