Ask An Audiologist: What Level of Hearing Loss Requires a Hearing Aid?

If you’ve noticed a change in your hearing (or that of a family member), the question is bound to come up: what level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid? At what point is an intervention necessary?

Your first step should always be to book a hearing assessment. Only an audiologist can ascertain your exact level of loss and guide you through your options accordingly. Once you’re armed with information, you can start asking questions like… do you need hearing aids for mild hearing loss?

Understanding Your Level of Loss

Understanding Your Level of Loss

Before we answer, let’s first take a moment to understand what the different categories actually mean. It’s always better to make any decision from a place of knowledge rather than guesswork or fear. Hearing loss is categorized by how loud a sound needs to be before you hear it, and there are four main classifications: mild, moderate, severe, and profound.

Mild

You have mild loss if you can only hear sounds from about 30 decibels (dB). In addition to not picking up very soft sounds, it might be difficult to hear conversations in a noisy room.
Understanding Your Level of Loss 2

Moderate

You’re at the “moderate” level when sounds are closer to 40 or 50 dB when you can hear them. At this stage, you might find yourself struggling to follow conversations and pick up what people are saying, even without distracting background noise.

Severe

This is the point when most people will admit that they are having difficulty – as you can see, long before intervention would have been beneficial! You fit into this category when sounds below 70 dB – the sound of a washing machine. At this level, it’s difficult to hear most sounds without some kind of amplification, especially conversation.

Profound

This is the most extreme level. If your loss is profound, chances are you are not able to hear the majority of sounds – anything under 90 dB. (About the volume of a motorcycle engine.) Without assistive technology and other support, communication is very difficult.

When Is a Hearing Aid Necessary?

When Is a Hearing Aid Necessary?

The question for many people when they’re diagnosed is often, “Do I need a hearing aid for mild hearing loss?” The answer to that, maybe surprisingly, is maybe! Even with a very mild degree of loss, hearing aids can have a lot of potential benefits. Getting that extra support helps lessen your listening fatigue because you don’t have to work as hard and concentrate as intently to hear conversations.

As your loss progresses, the difficulty of communication and navigating the noisy world can become very socially isolating. This makes the need for a supportive device even more pressing. Reduced hearing ability can severely affect your well-being, so it’s really not worth delaying!

Find Your Perfect Match With Hearwell Services

If you have any hearing aid complaints, schedule an appointment with a HearWell Services specialist. We’ll make sure your devices are fitted, set up, and tailored to your needs. If it’s not working for you, we’ll help you find a comfortable and functional alternative—because you deserve nothing less!
Did you know that 50% to 90% of users report positive experiences? We’re thrilled you’re one of them! If you encounter any issues or discomfort with your devices, don’t hesitate to reach out to the HearWell team. We’re here to help you on your journey to better hearing!

FAQ

What level is needed for a hearing aid?
Even mild loss can benefit from an assistive device. Always speak to your audiologist for personalized advice.
Not for everyone, so it’s important to have regular checkups to monitor your hearing over time, especially as you get older.

It depends on the underlying cause. If the loss is due to earwax buildup or an infection, for example, it is more likely to be reversible.

Absolutely! With the support of an experienced audiologist and the right assistive technology, you can continue to live life to the fullest.
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