What Can You Hear With Severe Hearing Loss?

It is estimated that 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. While hearing loss is relatively common, especially as we age, there are different levels of hearing loss an individual may experience. From mild to profound hearing loss, it’s essential to understand the key differences to accurately treat and restore hearing to the best of your ability.

Today, El Dorado Hearing is discussing severe-to-profound hearing loss. We’ll uncover what it is, what you can hear with severe hearing loss and the most effective way to treat it.

Severe Hearing Loss

Severe hearing loss is one of the more extreme types of hearing loss. With this condition, it will be challenging, if at all possible, for an individual to hear sounds around them without the help of hearing technology. Individuals with severe hearing loss will be unable to hear speech at a conversational level or hear high-pitched noises. While removing ear wax blockages can help their ability to hear, the individual will require hearing technology such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Through a hearing evaluation, a hearing specialist can recommend an effective treatment plan to make inaudible sounds audible. Without the assistance of a hearing device, speech and noise will be completely inaudible.

Profound Hearing Loss

Because severe hearing loss can progress if not adequately treated or prevention methods aren’t implemented, we felt it necessary to discuss profound hearing loss. Profound hearing loss is the highest level of hearing loss where the individual has lost much of their ability to hear, even when using a hearing device for assistance. All sound lower than about 90 decibels will go undetected by a person with profound hearing loss.

Challenges of Severe-to-Profound Hearing Loss

Individuals who have severe-to-profound hearing loss may experience some of the following challenges:

• Inability to decipher speech in loud environments
• Lack of clarity of speech, even when the volume is increased
• Difficulty holding telephone conversations

Without the help of hearing technology, those with severe hearing loss will be unable to hold conversations. Even with hearing devices, they may experience difficulty depending on their surroundings.

How Hearing Aids Can Help with Severe Hearing Loss

Not all hearing aids are created equal. Those with severe hearing loss will require a power hearing aid which is larger than a traditional hearing aid. Their hearing needs are more demanding. Thus they need a hearing aid that can deliver the amplified sound they need.

Power hearing aids contain more circuitry inside them, helping to amplify the world around them even more than a standard hearing aid. They typically fit behind the individual’s ear with a full earmold fitting inside the ear for a snug fit versus traditional hearing aids that may rest inside the ear.

Schedule a Hearing Test with El Dorado Hearing of Tucson

To assist in managing your hearing loss, we provide complete hearing evaluations at El Dorado Hearing. Our hearing specialists are highly experienced and provide an in-depth hearing assessment to evaluate whether you have hearing loss and the extent to which the loss affects you.

For personalized hearing testing in Tucson, AZ, make El Dorado Hearing of Tucson first on your list. We strive to make our hearing offices comfortable where everyone feels welcome.

If you are ready to regain control of your hearing, visit us at one of our hearing clinics. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our caring and expert hearing specialists!