Synonyms in a broader sense
Medical: Hypacusis
- Deafness
- Deafness
- Conductive hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Hearing loss
- Hearing loss
- Hearing loss
Definition of hearing loss
Hearing loss (hypacusis) is a reduction in hearing ability that can range from mild hearing loss to complete deafness. Hearing loss is a widespread disease that occurs both in young people and far more frequently in the elderly. In Germany, approximately six percent of the population is affected by hearing loss.
Conspicuously, the age at which hearing loss occurs is decreasing more and more. Naturally, however, hearing loss only progresses with increasing age. One becomes aware of a reduction in hearing only when familiar noises, sounds and voices are suddenly no longer perceived or understood.
The hearing loss usually sets in gradually and can be perceived as a considerable handicap if the damage has already occurred. The focus is less on the therapy of a hearing loss than on its prevention at a young age. For prevention, many measures can be taken to preserve our sense of hearing.
Although there are legal regulations at the workplace, according to which one may not expose oneself to a sound level of over 85 decibels (dB) without hearing protection, this limit is reached especially during leisure time. Discotheques, rock concerts, loud music through headphones, car races, etc. generate such noise, which in the long run can cause unstoppable damage to our hearing.
Classification of hearing loss
The assessment of the degree of hearing loss is an evaluation of the different tests with special attention to the tone audiometry.
- Normal hearing deviations up to 20% no impairment
- Deviations up to 20
- No impairment
- Minor hearing loss 20-40% ticking of the wristwatch
- 20-40 %
- Ticking of the wristwatch
- Moderate hearing loss 40-60 % Basic noise in residential areas
- 40-60 %
- Basic noises in residential areas
- High degree of hearing loss 60-80% conversation partner
- 60-80 %
- Contact person
- Residual hearing 80-95 % Loud speech of others, loud street
- 80-95 %
- Loud speaking of the others, loud street
- Deafness 100 % Nothing is heard anymore
- 100 %
- Nothing is heard anymore
- Deviations up to 20
- No impairment
- 20-40 %
- Ticking of the wristwatch
- 40-60 %
- Basic noises in residential areas
- 60-80 %
- Contact person
- 80-95 %
- Loud speaking of the others, loud street
- 100 %
- Nothing is heard anymore
