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    • Know your Hearing Number
    • Improve your hearing
    • Protect your hearing
    • Talk to an audiologist
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    • Hearing and your health
    • Grades of hearing loss
    • Diagnosing hearing loss
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Know your Hearing Number

A Hearing Number can help you understand the impact of hearing on you or your loved one. If your Hearing Number is over 26, getting a hearing test from an audiologist is recommended. Download the Mimi App to know your Hearing Number.

download on the app store

Download a doctor discussion guide

A proper assessment from an audiologist, or hearing health professional, can help direct you to the right treatment. Fill out this discussion guide and bring it with you when you see an audiologist.

Get the Guide
soc-ear-icon.png

Hearing loss can stop you from socially engaging

Changes in hearing can impact social engagement, mental well-being, and physical safety¹

Allow

Donʼt Allow

Don’t let it get hear

You have so much to gain.

Hearing goes beyond sound — itʼs connected to your overall health and is essential to your general well-being. Taking care of hearing can allow you to fully enjoy traveling, picking up new skills, working, volunteering, and staying active. Plus, hearing is what keeps those special connections in your life strong, leading to richer and more meaningful conversations and relationships.

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Hearing and your health

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Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8

Hearing and your health

soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8
soc-health-social.png
Better hearing can help you:
  • Stay better connected to the people and activities you love 2,9
  • Maintain strong relationships at work, at home, and beyond 2,9,10
Clear, healthy hearing is crucial for your quality of life by reducing your risk of:
  • Isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety 9,11,12
soc-health-mental.png
Good hearing can help you:
  • Maintain your memory13,14
  • Preserve your ability to think, learn, and focus13,14
  • Reduce cognitive decline13
soc-health-physical.png
Good hearing keeps you physically safe by helping you hear:
  • Traffic on busy roads and car horns
  • Fire alarms and sirens
  • Dogs barking
  • Home security alerts4,5-7
The ability to hear well also helps you:
  • Control your sense of balance7
  • Minimize your risk of falls8

Be aware of the causes of hearing loss

Age/genetics

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  • Age-related hearing loss (called presbycusis) happens gradually over many years and can be hard to notice17
  • Hearing loss may also have a genetic or inherited component

Noise damage

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Hearing loss may occur instantly or over time, due to factors such as:

  • Sounds while working a job like farming, manufacturing, or construction
  • Everyday noises such as jets, fireworks, and sirens
  • Loud activities like sporting events, concerts, and hunting

Physical/environmental factors

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Injury to or blockage of the ears

  • Certain illnesses and disease
  • Exposure to medications and chemicals

If you experience sudden hearing loss, treat it as a medical emergency and seek medical attention immediately.

Ready to know your Hearing Number?

Your Hearing Number is a simple metric that represents how loud speech needs to be for you to hear it. Everyone’s hearing changes over time, because the parts of the inner ear that detect sound wear out as you get older. As your hearing declines, your Hearing Number will increase. Your Hearing Number can help determine whether getting a hearing test from an audiologist is recommended. Your Hearing Number also helps identify what grade of hearing loss you have. Your Hearing Number and grade.

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Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

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Normal Hearing
Hearing Number <25

No hearing loss.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 1 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 26-34

Difficulty hearing soft conversations. You may feel like background noise drowns out conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 2 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 35-49

Difficulty with normal conversations. You may feel like you need to keep turning up the volume on the TV or radio.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 3 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 50-64

People need to consistently raise their voice for you to hear them. You have difficulty participating in group conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 4 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 65-79

Even with hearing aids, it’s difficult for you to understand what people say.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 5 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 80-94

In noisy environments, the patient cannot hear conversations at all, even if people raise their voice.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Normal Hearing
Hearing Number <25

No hearing loss.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 1 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 26-34

Difficulty hearing soft conversations. You may feel like background noise drowns out conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 2 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 35-49

Difficulty with normal conversations. You may feel like you need to keep turning up the volume on the TV or radio.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 3 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 50-64

People need to consistently raise their voice for you to hear them. You have difficulty participating in group conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 4 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 65-79

Even with hearing aids, it’s difficult for you to understand what people say.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 5 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 80-94

In noisy environments, the patient cannot hear conversations at all, even if people raise their voice.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

Now is the time to act, even if you don't currently have concerns about your hearing. New global guidelines recommend adults regularly test their hearing every 1-3 years.18 Download the Mimi App to help you or your loved one know your Hearing Number and track it over time.19

download on the app store

Ready to know your Hearing Number?

Your Hearing Number is a simple metric that represents how loud speech needs to be for you to hear it. Everyone’s hearing changes over time, because the parts of the inner ear that detect sound wear out as you get older. As your hearing declines, your Hearing Number will increase. Your Hearing Number can help determine whether getting a hearing test from an audiologist is recommended. Your Hearing Number also helps identify what grade of hearing loss you have. Your Hearing Number and grade.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Normal Hearing
Hearing Number <25

No hearing loss.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 1 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 26-34

Difficulty hearing soft conversations. You may feel like background noise drowns out conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 2 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 35-49

Difficulty with normal conversations. You may feel like you need to keep turning up the volume on the TV or radio.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 3 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 50-64

People need to consistently raise their voice for you to hear them. You have difficulty participating in group conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 4 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 65-79

Even with hearing aids, it’s difficult for you to understand what people say.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 5 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 80-94

In noisy environments, the patient cannot hear conversations at all, even if people raise their voice.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Normal Hearing
Hearing Number <25

No hearing loss.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 1 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 26-34

Difficulty hearing soft conversations. You may feel like background noise drowns out conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 2 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 35-49

Difficulty with normal conversations. You may feel like you need to keep turning up the volume on the TV or radio.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 3 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 50-64

People need to consistently raise their voice for you to hear them. You have difficulty participating in group conversations.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 4 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 65-79

Even with hearing aids, it’s difficult for you to understand what people say.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 5 Hearing Loss
Hearing Number 80-94

In noisy environments, the patient cannot hear conversations at all, even if people raise their voice.

soc-ear-dark@2x.png
Grade 6 Hearing loss
Hearing Number 95+

You cannot hear speech and most environmental sounds.

Now is the time to act, even if you don't currently have concerns about your hearing. New global guidelines recommend adults regularly test their hearing every 1-3 years.18 Download the Mimi App to help you or your loved one know your Hearing Number and track it over time.19

download on the app store

The good news:
you may be able to improve your hearing

Your Hearing Number helps determine which treatment option could be best for you.

Because hearing loss may get worse, knowing when to address it with the right solution at the right time can empower you to reconnect to the life you love. You will have a metric that determines your level of hearing, so your treatment options may not be the same for both ears.

Hearing Grade
(Hearing Number)

Grade 0
(<20)

Grade 1
(21-34)

Grade 2
(35-49)

Grade 3
(50-64)

Grade 4
(65-79)

Grade 5
(80-94)

Grade 6
(95+)

Hearing Number

  1. 0
  2. 10
  3. 20
  4. 30
  5. 40
  6. 50
  7. 60
  8. 70
  9. 80
  10. 90
  11. 100

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids

Boosts sounds to make them easier to hear; can be purchased on your own and do not require a prescription

Hearing Number: 10-60

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual's specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Hearing Number 25-90

Cochlear implants

Designed to enhance clarity of sound; surgically implanted by an ear doctor

Hearing Number: 60+

Grade 1 Hearing loss

Hearing Number 26-34

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids

Boosts sounds to make them easier to hear; can be purchased on your own and do not require a prescription

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual’s specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Grade 2 Hearing loss

Hearing Number 35-49

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids

Boosts sounds to make them easier to hear; can be purchased on your own and do not require a prescription

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual’s specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Grade 3 Hearing loss

Hearing Number 50-64

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual’s specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Cochlear implants

Designed to enhance clarity of sound; surgically implanted by an ear doctor

Grade 4 Hearing loss

Hearing Number 65-79

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual’s specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Cochlear implants

Designed to enhance clarity of sound; surgically implanted by an ear doctor

Grade 5 Hearing loss

Hearing Number 80+

Prescription hearing aids

Programmed to manage an individual’s specific hearing loss; fitted and fine tuned by an ear doctor

Cochlear implants

Designed to enhance clarity of sound; surgically implanted by an ear doctor

Grade 6 Hearing loss

Cochlear implants

Designed to enhance clarity of sound; surgically implanted by an ear doctor

How to look after your hearing every day

Not all types of hearing loss are preventable, but you can take important steps to help prevent age-related and noise-induced hearing loss.

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Protect yourself from noise

If you have to move closer to others to speak when you’re in a noisy setting, you’re in an environment that can damage your hearing — wear earmuffs or earplugs. Also check to be sure your personal listening devices are set to a safe volume.

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Make your health a priority

Manage your other health conditions — such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and diabetes — quit smoking, and limit alcohol, as all may be associated with hearing health1,19-23.

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Learn about medications that can damage hearing

Certain medications, called ototoxic drugs, have been shown to impact hearing, such as aspirin, antimalarial drugs, diuretics, and more1,19,24. Ask your doctor if any of your current medications might affect your hearing.

Talk to an ear doctor — here’s how

A proper assessment from an ear doctor (an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor [ENT]) can help direct you to the right treatment. Prepare for your visit with the resources below.

Know your Hearing Number

A Hearing Number can help you understand the impact of hearing on you or your loved one — and whether getting a hearing test from an audiologist is recommended. Download the Mimi App to know your Hearing Number.

download on the app store  

Download a doctor discussion guide

Fill out this discussion guide and bring it with you when you see an audiologist.

Get the Guide

References

  1. Deafness and hearing loss. World Health Organization; 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. [Last accessed April 2023]
  2. Hughes SE, Boisvert I, McMahon CM, Steyn A, Neal K. Perceived listening ability and hearing loss: Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. PloS one [Internet]. 2022 Oct 25;17(10): e0276265
  3. Ng ZY, Lamb B, Harrigan S, Archbold S, Athalye S, Allen S. Perspectives of adults with cochlear implants on current CI services and daily life. CI International. 2016, 17; (suppl) 1, 89-93
  4. Gates GA, Mills JH. Presbycusis. Lancet (London, England) [Internet]. 2005 Sep [cited 2023 Sep 15];366(9491):1111–20
  5. Kuk, F, Localization 101: Hearing Aid Factors in Localization. August 21, 2014. The Hearing Review. Available via: https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/hearing-disorders/apd/localization-101-hearing-aid-factorslocalization#:~:text=Localization%20is%20the%20ability%20to,path%2C%20or%20a%20falling%20object. [Last accessed August 2023]. Online only
  6. Huang Q, Tang J. Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology: official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery [Internet]. 2010;267(8):1179–91
  7. Gelfand, SA. Essentials of Audiology 4th Ed. New York. Thieme Medical Publishers Inc. 2016. p. 88
  8. Lin FR, Ferrucci L. Hearing loss and falls among older adults in the United States. Archives of internal medicine [Internet]. 2012;172(4):369–71.
  9. Shukla A, Harper M, Pedersen E, Goman A, Suen JJ, Price C, et al. Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery: official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2020;162(5):622–33
  10. Granberg S 1973, Gustafsson J 1975. Key findings about hearing loss in the working-life: a scoping review from a well-being perspective. International Journal of Audiology [Internet]. 2021;60(S2):60–70.
  11. Shoham N, Lewis G, Favarato G, Cooper C. Prevalence of anxiety disorders and symptoms in people with hearing impairment: a systematic review. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 2019;54(6):649–60.
  12. Lawrence BJ, Jayakody DMP, Bennett RJ, Eikelboom RH, Gasson N, Friedland PL. Hearing Loss and Depression in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The Gerontologist [Internet]. 2020: e137–54.
  13. Yeo BSY, Song HJJMD, Toh EMS, Ng LS, Ho CSH, Ho R, et al. Association of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants With Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMAneurology [Internet]. 2023;80(2):134–41.
  14. Huang AR, Jiang K, Lin FR, Deal JA, Reed NS. Hearing Loss and Dementia Prevalence in Older Adults in the US. JAMA. 2023;329(2):171–3. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.20954
  15. Mahmoudi E, Basu T, Langa K, McKee MM, Zazove P, Alexander N, Kamdar N. Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or Falls in Older Adults? The American Geriatrics Society. 2019;67
  16. Mosnier I, Bebear JP, Marx M, Fraysse B, Truy E, Lina-Granade G, Mondain M, Sterkers-Artières F, Bordure P, Robier A, Godey B, Meyer B, Frachet B, Poncet-Wallet C, Bouccara D, Sterkers O. Improvement of cognitive function after cochlear implantation in elderly patients. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015, 141; (5):442-50.
  17. Katz J. Handbook of Clinical Audiology. Philadelphia:Wolters Kluwer Health; (2015). 946 p
  18. Cochlear Implant Task Force. Improving the standard of care for adults with hearing loss and the role of cochlear implantation: Living Guidelines. Available at https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/6719. Accessed 25th Feb 2023
  19. World Report on Hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (page 17)
  20. Besser J, Stropahl M, Urry E, Launer S. Comorbidities of hearing loss and the implications of multimorbidity for audiological care. Hearing research [Internet]. 2018;369:3–14.
  21. Qian P, Zhao Z, Liu S, Xin J, Liu Y, Hao Y, et al. Alcohol as a risk factor for hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one [Internet]. 2023;18(1):e0280641.
  22. Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Lunney M, Donald M, Howarth T, Evans J, et al. Associations between hearing loss and clinical outcomes: population-based cohort study. eClinicalMedicine [Internet]. 2023;61.
  23. Baiduc RR, Sun JW, Berry CM, Anderson M, Vance EA. Relationship of cardiovascular disease risk and hearing loss in a clinical population. Scientific reports [Internet]. 2023;13(1):1642.
  24. Lindeborg MM, Jung DH, Chan DK, Mitnick CD. Prevention and management of hearing loss in patients receiving ototoxic medications. Bulletin of the World Health Organization [Internet]. 2022;100(12):789.
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The information provided above regarding certain health-related conditions and/or potential therapies or treatment options is for educational purposes only. Other therapies or treatment options may be available. Appropriate treatment for individuals is a matter for healthcare professionals in consultation with each individual. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

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