What does "Within Normal Hearing Range" mean?

Hearing is one of our five senses and are ears do an amazing job at making this happen.  What we hear are vibrations of sound, each vibration counts as one hertz. The human ear can hear frequencies between 20Hz and 20,000Hz. What is classed as the normal hearing is the ability to hear these frequencies at a loudness level of between 0 dB and 25 dB. Within that of normal hearing range, you could even have excellent hearing. Hearing around 0 -5dB. Which is particularly common amongt children and young adults.

Normal hearing range is a particular classification used by audiologists and hearing aid specialists when assessing whether someone requires a hearing aid. If their hearing levels sits within the normal hearing range a hearing aid is not needed. Therefore if many hearing level frequencies sit outside the normal hearing range a hearing aid is beneficial. The difficulty arises when a person's hearing is particularily borderline on the normal hearing range. When it sits at around 25dB-30dB it is not quite as simple. Everyone is different it will depend much more on how much you feel you are having difficulty in every day life or are experiencing no to very little difficulty. When you have a hearing test you will find the normal hearing range displayed at the top of the hearing test results graph. Even if you have a hearing loss, especially that of an age related hearing loss it is not uncommon to find some of your hearing test results sit within normal hearing range. These tend to be the lower frequencies as such a hearing loss more so affects the higher frequencies.

Interestingly you can have a hearing loss within normal hearing range but still have difficulty hearing. This often happens if someone has an auditory processing disorder.  This means that the anatomy and physiology of the ear is providing the ability to hear within normal hearing range however the difficulty arises in the processing and meaning of the sound. People with auditory processing disorder find most difficulty understanding conversation in background noise.

If you are not sure whether your hearing is within normal hearing range it is a good idea to have a hearing test undertaken. A hearing test roughly takes about 20-30 minutes and will give you more insight into your own health and wellbeing. Visit your GP for an NHS referal or alternatively check out the hearing services link on our website to find out where you can find a hearing test centre near you to book a private consultation.