Hearing loss that is twenty-six to forty decibels is considered mild hearing loss. A hearing loss of at least sixteen decibels but less than twenty-six decibels is categorized as slight hearing loss. Mild hearing loss is often left untreated though it can usually be vastly improved with the use of hearing aids.
The hearing loss caused by mild hearing loss may not pose many hearing problems except in environments with considerable background noise. People with mild hearing loss may also have difficulty hearing people who speak softly.
Mild hearing loss is often high-frequency hearing loss. High-frequency hearing loss is characterized by normal hearing of low tones and impaired hearing of high-frequency tones.
Sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss can be mild hearing loss. Damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve causes sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is characterized by a blockage of sound to the inner ear.
Mild hearing loss in children is most often caused by inner ear infections. Another cause of hearing loss is exposure to noise. Loud music, loud noises in the work environment, or other sources of loud noise can cause hearing loss from noise exposure.
The mild hearing loss may be bilateral or unilateral hearing loss. Bilateral hearing loss is hearing loss that affects both ears. Unilateral hearing loss only affects one ear.
Mild and slight hearing loss are only two of the levels of severity of hearing loss. A hearing loss that is between forty-one and fifty-five decibels is called moderate hearing loss. Hearing loss of fifty-six to seventy decibels is labeled as moderately severe hearing loss.
Severe hearing loss is a hearing loss of seventy-one to ninety decibels. A hearing loss of at least ninety-one decibels is profound hearing loss.
The severity of the hearing loss is determined by the results of a hearing test. The best treatment for a hearing loss depends on the type of hearing loss and the severity of the hearing loss.
Even though mild hearing loss can often be alleviated with the use of a hearing aid, many people with mild hearing loss are reluctant to use hearing aids. The cost of hearing aids and being self-conscious about using a hearing aid are two common reasons for a lack of hearing aid use.
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