How much do you know about hearing levels?

• First, we need to understand the concept of "hearing threshold".

  → It means the sound level for a person to detect any sound (the measurement is decibel, dB HL). The number corresponds to the minimum amplitude for the audible sound. Larger number indicated severe hearing loss.

• Hearing Levels

  → Frequencies of speech (Hertz, Hz) range between 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, and 4000Hz. Clinically, the average pure tone hearing threshold of these four frequencies is the most common tool used to calculate the hearing levels.
  Generally speaking, the normal hearing level is within 25 dB HL. The classification of the hearing levels for the elders of 65 years old and above is different. We use four-color light indicators to represent different hearing levels:

Hearing level is within the normal range. This hearing level should not affect you ability to listen and communicate with others in daily life.

Hearing level is over 40 dB HL in either ear. This hearing level should not affect the person’s daily communication much, but it may hinder their ability to locate sound and listen in a noisy environment. It is recommended to see an audiologist or otologist for further investigation.

This hearing level means that the elder’s better ear is over 40 dB HL. They can still hear sounds but they may find it hard to hear others when they talk to them in person and/or over the phone. They may also need to turn the TV volume up and have others talk to them in a louder and slower voice to aid their understanding.

This hearing level means that the elder’s have an average hearing level above 55 dB HL in both ears. It would significantly impact their communication with others. After a disability assessment performed by Ministry of Health and Welfare designated hospitals, the elders with this hearing level may be eligible to apply for a hearing impairment certificate (hearing impairment identification). In addition to the hearing aids and the other assistive devices subsidies, the benefits also include vehicle license tax waiver, living subsidies, and etc. Please contact local city and county offices for details, or call us for more information.

• Epidemiology

1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

2. In Taiwan:
(Since 2015, PSA Charitable Foundation has done lots of hearing health seminars and hearing screenings for the elders at the community care centers founded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.)

Hearing Loss and Health

• Have you ever thought of what it would like if you could not hear clearly?
  You might not be able to enjoy your favorite singers singing anymore. On top of it, hearing loss also affects various aspects in daily life:

Social difficulties

People who are experiencing hearing loss will need to make extra effort in listening and understanding speech and sounds than people with normal hearing level. It is exhausting. It could cause social difficulties, affect work performance, and undermine their interpersonal and family relationships. Sometimes, the inability to respond to others promptly and correctly could lead to misunderstanding and seemingly negative or impolite attitudes.

Dementia

For people with mild to severe hearing loss, the risk of suffering from dementia is 3-5 times to that of the average person. It is due to the decrease of stimulation to the auditory cortex and the increase of the burden to other parts of the brain.

Falls

In addition to hearing difficulties, degeneration of the ears also affects a person’s equilibrium and thus triples the fall risks.

• What diseases are the risk factors for hearing loss?

Cardiovascular disease

The higher the body mass index (BMI) and the larger the waist circumference, the higher the risk of hearing loss.

Diabetes

The risk of hearing loss is 2.5 times that of the average person.

Cancers

Cancer medication, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy will damage inner hair cells and thus leads to hearing loss.

• Let’s check your ear protection skills through the Hearing Care Trilogy

The First Work

Daily hearing care

The first task is to prevent hearing loss and practice preventive care in your daily life.

The Second Work

Detecting the signs of hearing loss

Feel exhausted from paying attention and using visual cues to understand what others are saying? Pay more attention to yourself and to your family. Early discovery is crucial to prevent hearing loss.

The Third Work

Hearing loss treatments and interventions

Stop the deterioration and rebuild our hearing confidence through treatments and care.