Types of Hearing Losses
Four Different Types of Hearing Losses
o Conductive Hearing Loss: A dysfunction in the middle and/or outer ear in present of normal
functional inner ear and is a problem of sound perception.
o Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A dysfunction in the inner ear or canal to the brain in present
of normal, functional middle and outer ear. This can be caused by wax or objects blocking the canal,
growth blocking the canal, bone conduction loss, or the auricle being closed.
o Mixed Hearing Loss: both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The bone conduction is not
normal when you have this type of loss. This can be a result of otitis media, fluid in the middle ear,
or otosclerosis.
o Functional/Nonorganic Loss: caused by a trauma or could be a psychological hearing loss,
malingering/deliberate fake
functional inner ear and is a problem of sound perception.
o Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A dysfunction in the inner ear or canal to the brain in present
of normal, functional middle and outer ear. This can be caused by wax or objects blocking the canal,
growth blocking the canal, bone conduction loss, or the auricle being closed.
o Mixed Hearing Loss: both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The bone conduction is not
normal when you have this type of loss. This can be a result of otitis media, fluid in the middle ear,
or otosclerosis.
o Functional/Nonorganic Loss: caused by a trauma or could be a psychological hearing loss,
malingering/deliberate fake
Different Degrees in Hearing Losses
o Slight: 16-25 dB—faint speech difficult
to understand in loud environments
o Mild: 26-40dB—faint or distant speech
difficult to hear in quiet environments
o Moderate: 41-55dB—conversational
speech can only be heard in close
proximity
o Moderate-Severe: 56-70dB—only loud
conversational speech can be heard
o Severe: 70-90dB—conversational speech
cannot be heard unless loud and
even then many words cannot be
recognized
o Profound: 91+ dB—cannot heard conversational speech. Vision primary mode for communication
and cochlear implants are often a consideration
to understand in loud environments
o Mild: 26-40dB—faint or distant speech
difficult to hear in quiet environments
o Moderate: 41-55dB—conversational
speech can only be heard in close
proximity
o Moderate-Severe: 56-70dB—only loud
conversational speech can be heard
o Severe: 70-90dB—conversational speech
cannot be heard unless loud and
even then many words cannot be
recognized
o Profound: 91+ dB—cannot heard conversational speech. Vision primary mode for communication
and cochlear implants are often a consideration
Source of Image:
Degree of Hearing Loss [Digital image]. (2000, March 19). Retrieved November 9, 2010, from
http://www.ivertigo.net/vertigo3.html