Defining hearing loss

Hearing loss is often classified by means of different categories. The same definitions are not always used, but the following are among the most common

Mild hearing loss

On average, the most quiet sounds that people can hear with their better ear are between 25 and 40 dB. People who suffer from mild hearing loss have some difficulties keeping up with conversations, especially in noisy surroundings.

Moderate hearing loss

On average, the most quiet sounds heard by people with their better ear are between 40 and 70 dB. People who suffer from moderate hearing loss have difficulty keeping up with conversations when not using a hearing aid.

Severe hearing loss

On average, the most quiet sounds heard by people with their better ear are between 70 and 95 dB. People who suffer from severe hearing loss will benefit from powerful hearing aids, but often they rely heavily on lip-reading even when they are using hearing aids. Some also use sign language.

Profound hearing loss

On average, the most quiet sounds heard by people with their better ear are from 95 dB or more. People who suffer from profound hearing loss are very hard of hearing and rely mostly on lip-reading, and/or sign language.
Adapted from: European Group on genetics of hearing impairment. Martini A (Ed.), European Commission Directorate, Biomedical and Health Research Programme (HEAR) Infoletter 2, November 1996, 8.

Read More at : http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=334

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EU: Millions of music listeners risk hearing loss

As many as 10 million Europeans are putting their hearing at risk when they listen to loud music on their MP3 players, according to an EU report. An EU commissioner wants to improve personal stereo safety.

Girl with MP3 player
An estimated 2.5-10 million Europeans risk permanent hearing damage because of risky music listening habits, according to a new report issued by the European Union. They are in a high-risk group among 50-100 million Europeans who listen to music on their portable personal stereos.
An hour a day for five years
The risky behaviour involves listening regularly to loud music for long periods at a time. More than one hour a day of listening to music at high volume over a period of five years may result in permanent hearing damage, according to the authors of the report. The authors point out, that the resulting permanent hearing damage may not be immediately evident and may show up later in life.
The report was prepared by nine specialists associated with the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks. The European Commission asked this independent scientific committee to investigate the risks associated with listening to MP3 players.
Safer players
Meglena Kuneva, the European consumer affairs commissioner, recently hosted a conference on the subject in 2009 in Brussels. At the conference EU member states, industry representatives and consumer representatives discussed the report findings and how to make MP3 players safer. Technical solutions as well as regulations or new laws were debated.
MP3 listeners can improve listening safety on their own. Important first steps include turning down the volume and limiting the listening time.

Source: www.europa.eu, February 16, 2009
Revewed by Yohanita T, MD

The Eyes also Listen

Our pupils dilate in response to the sounds perceived. This discovery may show a connection between eye movements and hearing ability. It may also be the basis for an alternative method to detect hearing loss when a standard hearing test is not applicable.

Studies of owls showed that their pupils dilate in accordance with the volume of the sound they hear. This is a normal response to an environmental change. When the sound perceived was repetitive the physical response disappeared.

In a study carried out among humans by researchers from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, USA, the same seemed to occur.

22 participants with normal hearing were asked to listen to several sounds. At the same time, their eye movements were recorded with a camera while their heads remained still. Researchers observed that every time a new sound was introduced, the pupils changed size in proportion to the loudness of the sound. Results were compared to an audiometric test and a significantly similar response was found.
Potential alternative to a hearing test
Further analysis is yet to determine if testing the eye movements could become a clinical tool for the detection of hearing loss. But researchers believe that this discovery is a step forward in the search for an alternative method to detecting hearing loss when a standard hearing test cannot be performed. This would be useful, in particular, when dealing with infants and adults with brain damage, who are unable to participate actively in a hearing test.

The findings of the study were presented at an Association for Research in Otolaryngology meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Sources: www.consultaspecialist.com, www.healthday.com, February 23, 2009

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