Hearing Aid
Degrees of Hearing Loss: Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound Explained
Hearing loss is graded by the quietest sound you can hear in your better ear. On the WHO scale, mild is 20 to under 35 dB, moderate is 35 to under 50, moderately severe is 50 to under 65, severe is 65 to under 80, and profound is 80 dB or more. A higher number means louder sounds are needed.
Hearing rarely drops overnight in your late thirties or forties. It creeps: you ask colleagues to repeat themselves on calls, the TV volume drifts up, and you blame the restaurant for being noisy. If that sounds familiar, our overview of hearing loss types, causes and symptoms is a good start, but the next question is always practical: how much have I actually lost?
That is what “degrees” answer. Below, each level is explained in numbers and in everyday life, along with the options and costs in ₹ you can expect through Ear Solutions in India.
Summary
- Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB) and graded from mild to profound, using your better ear.
- Many people first notice trouble with soft speech and noisy rooms, which points to mild or moderate loss.
- WHO notes that mild or moderate loss can go unnoticed, so a test beats guessing.
- Hearing aid prices listed at Ear Solutions start at ₹24,999, and the degree is only one factor in the choice.
What do the degrees of hearing loss mean in decibels?
A decibel value is the softest sound you can just hear, so a bigger number means more loss. WHO treats anything above 20 dB as hearing loss, and counts it as disabling when it is above 35 dB in the better ear.
| Degree | Hearing level (better ear) | What it may feel like |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below 20 dB | No trouble with everyday sounds |
| Mild | 20 to under 35 dB | Soft speech and noisy places are hard |
| Moderate | 35 to under 50 dB | Regular conversation is hard |
| Moderately severe | 50 to under 65 dB | Most speech is missed; joining in tires you |
| Severe | 65 to under 80 dB | Only loud sounds get through |
| Profound | 80 dB and above | Even loud sounds are barely heard |
How is the degree of hearing loss measured?
Through a pure tone audiometry (PTA) test. You sit in a soundproof room with headphones and signal each time you hear a beep, and each ear is tested separately. At Ear Solutions the test takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and the site advertises it as free; do confirm whether any extra assessments are charged.
The beeps are plotted on an audiogram, and the audiologist reads your level for the better ear from it. Do not rely on how you feel. WHO points out that it is possible to have mild or moderate loss without realising it.
Mild and moderate: what changes first?
These are the levels many adults notice first, and they are easy to explain away.
Mild loss (20 to under 35 dB)
You follow a one-to-one chat but lose words at a family dinner or in a busy meeting. Nothing feels broken, which is why people wait years. A test now gives you a baseline, and if work or home life is already suffering, a hearing aid is worth discussing.
Moderate loss (35 to under 50 dB)
Ordinary conversation becomes effort. You ask for repeats, miss parts of phone calls, and tire out by evening. WHO says people who are hard of hearing can benefit from hearing aids, and this is a common point to start that conversation.
Not sure which degree you are in?
Your own guess will not tell you, but a PTA test will. Book one, or read how each hearing aid style suits different levels of loss.
Book Your Free Hearing Test | Compare Hearing Aid Types
Moderately severe, severe and profound: what changes then?
At these levels, speech without help is mostly out of reach, so the fitting matters as much as the device.
Moderately severe loss (50 to under 65 dB)
Most speech is missed, group talk is exhausting and phone calls are hard. Hearing aids usually need more power, and careful programming by an audiologist matters a great deal.
Severe loss (65 to under 80 dB)
Without a device, only loud sounds get through. Powerful hearing aids, regular fine-tuning and sometimes speech or communication support help you stay part of conversations.
Profound loss (80 dB and above)
Even loud sounds are barely heard. A hearing aid may still help, but this is also the range where an ENT doctor may assess you for a cochlear implant, which is a medical decision and not something a hearing aid clinic provides.
Which hearing aid style suits which degree?
The style listed for each degree is a starting point, not a rule. Ear Solutions’ own guide pairs them like this.
| Style | Listed as suitable for |
|---|---|
| RIC (receiver-in-canal) | Mild to severe |
| BTE (behind-the-ear) | Mild to severe |
| ITE (in-the-ear) | Mild to moderately severe |
| ITC and IIC (in or invisible in the canal) | Mild to moderate |
Your ear shape, dexterity, phone use and budget can change the pick, and your audiologist should explain why.
How much does a hearing aid cost at each degree in India?
The degree of loss does not set the price. Technology level, brand and features do, and a person with moderate loss and a noisy job may need a higher tier than someone with severe loss and quiet days.
| Tier | Listed range | How the site describes it |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Under ₹29,999 | Mild loss, quiet places |
| Mid-level | ₹29,999 to ₹49,999 | Moderate loss, active routines |
| Advanced | ₹49,999 to ₹1,00,000 | Severe loss, daily speech in varied settings |
| Premium | ₹1,00,000 to ₹8,50,000 | Advanced features and connectivity |
These are indicative, and the hearing aid prices page says your final price may be lower. It does not state whether a quote covers one ear or both, so ask for both totals.
When should you see a doctor before a hearing aid?
Sudden hearing loss, loss in only one ear, ear pain, discharge or dizziness needs an ENT doctor first. An audiologist tests hearing and fits devices; diagnosing and treating ear disease is a doctor’s job. And a hearing aid helps you follow speech better, but it does not bring back normal hearing.
Conclusion
Knowing your degree turns a vague worry into a number you can act on: mild and moderate loss are easy to ignore yet worth testing early, while severe and profound loss call for stronger devices, careful fitting and, at the far end, a doctor’s opinion on implants. The degree guides the options, but your daily life, ear shape and budget decide the final choice. Start with a PTA test, ask for your result in dB on the WHO scale, and ask for quotes in ₹ with one-ear and both-ear totals before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the degrees of hearing loss?
Hearing loss is graded as mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe and profound, and WHO adds complete loss at the extreme end. Each grade is based on your better ear.
What decibel level is mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss?
On the WHO scale: mild 20 to under 35 dB, moderate 35 to under 50, moderately severe 50 to under 65, severe 65 to under 80, and profound 80 dB or more.
How is the degree of hearing loss measured?
With a pure tone audiometry test, where you wear headphones and signal each beep. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes and shows on an audiogram.
Which degree of hearing loss needs a hearing aid?
Your audiologist decides after a test and a look at your daily needs. WHO says people who are hard of hearing can benefit from hearing aids, and profound loss may need a doctor’s opinion on implants.
How much does a hearing aid cost in India?
Ear Solutions start at ₹24,999 and go up to ₹8,50,000 for premium models. The final price may be lower, so ask for a quote.