What Is Profound Hearing Loss and How Is It Defined?
Hearing loss can range from mild difficulty hearing soft sounds to a complete inability to hear even loud noises. At the most severe end of this spectrum lies profound hearing loss, a condition that significantly impacts communication and daily life.
Understanding what profound hearing loss means, how it is diagnosed, and the options available for management can help individuals and families navigate this challenge with more clarity and confidence.
Defining Profound Hearing Loss
Profound hearing loss is the most advanced level of hearing
impairment. Individuals with profound hearing loss are typically unable to hear
speech and can only detect very loud environmental sounds, such as fireworks,
sirens, or jackhammers.
How Loud Is “Profound”?
To understand how profound hearing loss is measured, it helps to know how hearing levels are classified:
·
Normal hearing: 0 to 25 decibels (dB)
·
Mild hearing loss: 26 to 40 dB
·
Moderate hearing loss: 41 to 55 dB
·
Severe hearing loss: 71 to 90 dB
· Profound hearing loss: 91 dB and above
People with profound hearing loss cannot hear sounds below
91 decibels, which includes everyday conversations, phone rings, or even a dog
barking. To put that into perspective, the sound of an ambulance siren (around
120 dB) may be one of the few things still detectable—if at all.
Causes of Profound Hearing Loss
It can affect one or both ears and may be caused by different types of hearing conditions.
·
Sensorineural hearing loss: Damage to the inner
ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve. This is the most common cause.
·
Conductive hearing loss: Caused by blockages or
malfunctions in the outer or middle ear.
·
Mixed hearing loss: A combination of
sensorineural and conductive loss.
Some common triggers of profound hearing loss include:
·
Genetic factors
·
Exposure to extremely loud noise
·
Certain infections (e.g., meningitis)
·
Ototoxic medications
·
Head trauma
· Long-term untreated hearing conditions
Also Read: Protecting Your Hearing After Hearing Loss: Why It Still Matters
Symptoms and Daily Challenges
People with profound hearing loss often cannot understand
speech without visual aids. Conversations, alarms, and even music may be
completely inaudible. As a result, they may rely on:
·
Sign language
·
Lip reading
·
Captioned media
·
Visual alerts for doorbells, smoke alarms, etc.
Without proper support, profound hearing loss can lead to
social withdrawal, emotional strain, and even cognitive decline due to reduced
brain stimulation.
How Is Profound Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
Profound hearing loss is diagnosed through a comprehensive audiometric evaluation conducted by an audiologist. The key tools include:
·
Pure-tone audiometry: Determines the softest
sounds you can hear at various frequencies.
·
Speech recognition tests: Evaluate how well you
understand speech at different volume levels.
·
Otoscopy and tympanometry: Used to check for
blockages or middle ear issues.
At Aanvii Hearing, we offer free, state-of-the-art hearing
evaluations across all our clinics. Our audiologists assess your hearing
profile and recommend the most effective next steps based on your condition and
lifestyle.
Can Profound Hearing Loss Be Treated?
While profound hearing loss is not always reversible,
several advanced technologies and tools can significantly enhance communication
and improve quality of life.
Hearing Aids for Profound Loss
Modern digital hearing aids, especially those with powerful amplification and adaptive features, can help some individuals with profound hearing loss hear environmental sounds and speech more clearly. Signia’s advanced devices—such as Motion Charge&Go SP—are designed specifically for severe-to-profound hearing loss, offering:
·
Extra-powerful amplification
·
Feedback reduction
·
Bluetooth connectivity
·
Rechargeable batteries
·
Compatibility with remote microphones and TV
streamers
Cochlear Implants
For those who gain limited benefit from hearing aids,
cochlear implants may be recommended. These are surgically implanted electronic
devices that directly stimulate the auditory nerve and provide a sense of
sound.
Also Read: How Do You Know If You Have High-Frequency Hearing Loss?
Living with Profound Hearing Loss
Adapting to profound hearing loss is a journey that involves
emotional support, practical tools, and ongoing care. Joining deaf or
hard-of-hearing communities, using assistive technologies, and staying engaged
with your audiologist are all important steps.
If you or someone you care about is showing signs of
profound hearing loss, taking early action is essential for better outcomes.
The sooner support is in place, the better the outcomes in communication,
mental health, and daily independence.
Book a Free Hearing Test & Trial at Aanvii Hearing
Suspect profound hearing loss? Don’t wait. Visit Aanvii
Hearing for a free consultation and expert guidance on the most advanced
hearing solutions available today. Call us at 96 5839 58399 and book your free
hearing test and trial at
