What decibel range corresponds to mild hearing loss?

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Multiple Choice

What decibel range corresponds to mild hearing loss?

Understanding how hearing loss is categorized helps you see why this range fits mild loss. Hearing thresholds are measured in decibels hearing level (dB HL). Normal hearing typically falls from 0 to 25 dB HL. When thresholds are in the 26 to 40 dB HL range, soft sounds that most people hear easily—like consonants in speech or whispered voices—may be hard to hear, especially in quiet or background-noise situations. That level of difficulty characterizes mild hearing loss. Once thresholds exceed 40 dB HL, the level of loss is considered more than mild—moderate or higher—depending on how high the threshold is.

Understanding how hearing loss is categorized helps you see why this range fits mild loss. Hearing thresholds are measured in decibels hearing level (dB HL). Normal hearing typically falls from 0 to 25 dB HL. When thresholds are in the 26 to 40 dB HL range, soft sounds that most people hear easily—like consonants in speech or whispered voices—may be hard to hear, especially in quiet or background-noise situations. That level of difficulty characterizes mild hearing loss. Once thresholds exceed 40 dB HL, the level of loss is considered more than mild—moderate or higher—depending on how high the threshold is.

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