You’ll likely notice when you’re beginning to experience hearing loss. It might be that you’re finding it more difficult to follow conversations in a bar or restaurant or that you’re often increasing the volume on the television set when you’re watching it. However, while you may know that you have some hearing loss, you might not fully understand the extent of the loss.
Of course, not all hearing loss is the same. Some people have only mild hearing loss, while others have profound hearing loss. In this blog, we’ll discuss moderate hearing loss, including what it feels like, how other people might detect it for you and the treatment options available, among other topics.
What Does It Feel Like To Have Moderate Hearing Loss?
First, let’s talk about what moderate hearing loss is like from a technical point of view. Hearing loss is divided into different categories. Moderate loss is further along on the scale, just one below severe loss and two below profound loss, which is the most advanced category.
You’ll have moderate hearing loss if your hearing has been reduced by anywhere between 41 decibels and 70 decibels. If you’re on the upper end of that scale, then you’ll have moderate-to-severe hearing loss. This means that you’ll have some difficulty in hearing friends and family when they’re talking or if you struggle to hear people when you’re in loud environments. As a rule, you won’t be able to hear when, say, the dishwasher is running or when people are talking at a regular volume. If you’re on the lower end of that scale, then you will be unable to hear rain falling or people working in a quiet office.
What Other People Might Say
Sometimes, it’s the person who has hearing loss that first notices something has changed. But in many cases, it’ll be the people around that person that notices things have changed. This could be the case if you were only dimly aware of your hearing loss and didn’t seek out any treatment. Hearing loss can worsen over time, so while you might have once been aware that you had some hearing loss, things may have progressed. If you find that your friends and family are repeating themselves louder and louder or that you turn up the television or radio too loud, then your hearing loss may have advanced.
Other Hearing Loss Levels
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to diagnose your level of hearing loss on your own. You’ll need to visit an audiologist to get your hearing loss classification. Although, in general, people seem to have a pretty accurate assessment of how well they can hear. It’s worthwhile being aware of the other levels, however. They are:
- Normal hearing
- Mild hearing loss
- Moderate hearing loss
- Severe hearing loss
- Profound hearing loss
Sudden Moderate Hearing Loss
In most cases, moderate hearing loss happens gradually. It will have progressed from normal to mild and then to moderate hearing loss. However, that’s not always the case. There are thousands of cases of sudden moderate hearing loss each year. This is when you rapidly lose your hearing, often for unclear reasons, over a period of a few minutes or hours. If you have this experience, then it’s important to seek medical attention quickly. If treated within seven days, there are usually no long-term impacts.
What To Do About Your Hearing Loss
It’s one thing to know you have moderate – or any other level – hearing loss. But what can you do about it? The most important thing is to book an appointment with an audiologist. They’ll be able to determine your level of loss and then make recommendations. The most effective treatment option is to get a hearing aid device fitted. There’s no cure for hearing loss, but you can ensure you can still live life to the fullest with a hearing aid.
If you think that you might have moderate hearing loss, then it’s important that you make an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible. Indeed, this is good advice if you feel that you have any level of hearing loss. Here at Kampsen Hearing, we can work with you to evaluate your hearing level and then make recommendations as to the right treatment method, such as getting a hearing aid fitted.
You can schedule an appointment for your hearing evaluation by calling us at (813) 369-5692 or by clicking the contact us button at the top of this page. We look forward to seeing you!