Disability of Hearing loss:

Normal Hearing (-10-15 dB HL): No disability

Slight loss (16-25 dB HL): May not notice hearing loss or

May have difficulty with faint or distant speech and hearing in noise

Mild loss (26-40 dB HL): Difficulty with faint or distant speech and when

listening in noise

Moderate loss (41-55 dB HL): Difficulty with all speech, except one-on-one (3-5°)

Moderately severe loss (56-70 dB HL): Cannot understand speech at normal conversational level - must be a shout to be understood

Severe loss (71-90 dB HL): Cannot understand speech unless shouting level at 1-3' from ear. May hear some environmental sounds (traffic, planes, dog barking)

Profound loss (91+ dB HL): May not rely on hearing as the primary mode of

communication (auditory/visual or manual only)

Unilateral hearing loss - one normal hearing ear and one impaired: May have difficulty with faint or distant speech,

localizing and with noise.