There are several degrees of hearing loss, each with their own symptoms and complexities. Those living with mild hearing loss may occasionally ask others to repeat themselves, whereas those with moderate hearing loss might not be able to hear certain sound frequencies.
However, for people living with severe and profound hearing loss, even loud sounds are difficult to hear. Despite these challenges, there are hearing aids available to people living with severe hearing loss to help them engage with loved ones and the world around them. Read on to learn more about this type of hearing loss and what the best hearing aids for severe hearing loss might be.
Hearing loss is broken down into degrees of hearing loss, which relates to how loud in decibels a sound must be for you to hear it. To be classified as having normal hearing, you must be able to hear sounds between -10 dBHL (Decibel Hearing Level) to 20 dBHL. A person is considered to have moderately severe hearing loss if their decibel hearing loss range is 56-70 dBHL, while severe loss is 71 to 90 dBHL. This means that for someone living with severe hearing loss, most speech is difficult to hear and you may only be able to hear loud noises, such as a lawnmower, vacuum cleaner or passing subway trains without the help of amplification.
What does hearing loss sound like? Watch to experience firsthand the effects of hearing loss over time.
Severe hearing loss can be caused by numerous reasons. Causes of severe hearing loss can include:
Severe hearing may also occur over time and with age. This is known as presbycusis.
The most common and effective severe hearing loss treatment is hearing aids or a cochlear implant. They help amplify sound, bringing voices and everyday noises back to a more normal level. A cochlear implant can provide hearing support. This is a safe and effective treatment method, but it does require surgery to insert the implants into the cochlea.
There is no single best hearing aid for severe hearing loss. In fact, each of the three main styles of hearing aids (BTE, ITE and RIC) offers features that can meet your severe hearing loss needs and support your hearing health journey. Review the capabilities of each to determine which style might be the best for you.
The most popular type of hearing aids are receiver-in-canal (RIC) models. With these, the microphone and other processing technology are housed in a slim shell that sits behind the ear, connected by a thin wire to the receiver that sits in the ear canal.
RICs owe their popularity in part to their discreet looks and comfortable fit, but even more so to their versatility—they can be an ideal choice for everything from mild to severe hearing loss, depending on the technology and specific model you choose with your hearing care professional (HCP).
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids sit completely in the ear canal. This type of hearing aid is smaller and more discreet than BTE hearing aids, but can still be worn by people with a wide range of hearing loss including severe, depending on the model.
Its directional microphones help focus sound amplification and help drown out unwanted background noise, making them useful for severe hearing loss. This type includes several related hearing aid styles—completely-in-canal (CIC) and in-the-canal (ITC)—that each offer their own capabilities and features.
Discuss your options with your hearing care professional (HCP) to determine which style might best support you.
Learn about Bluetooth hearing aids! With Bluetooth® technology, your hearing aids become a gateway to a richer life.
Once you’ve considered how a hearing aid style can support your severe hearing loss needs, it’s important to think about additional functions and features that can enhance your listening experience. Take these features into account when you’re considering how to choose a hearing aid:
If you’re living with severe hearing loss and are unsure of how to manage your hearing, schedule an appointment with a licensed hearing care professional at your local Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center. They will be able to test your hearing, recommend hearing aid options and offer solutions to address your hearing loss and allow you to reconnect to your favorite sounds.
Most cases of severe hearing loss are considered to be sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss occurs when there’s damage to the sensitive hair cells of the inner ear or to the auditory nerve that carries soundwaves to the brain. Once these delicate structures become damaged, they cannot be repaired, meaning that sensorineural hearing loss—including severe hearing loss—is permanent.
However, while severe hearing loss can’t be reversed, hearing loss can be significantly improved with hearing aids.
Hearing loss at any level can affect your life, involvement in everyday activities and even your ability to work. However, certain degrees of hearing loss are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) under particular qualifications. Your hearing loss is considered a disability if:
If you meet these qualifications, you may qualify to register as disabled. Your employer must then make reasonable accommodations to meet your needs under the ADA, allowing you to continue to work in a way that aligns with your hearing loss needs.
