A hearing doctor checks children’s hearing by giving them a hearing test. Even the hearing of newborn babies can be tested. This is done with special hearing scanners while the baby is asleep. The baby will not feel anything.

Mild hearing loss

The loudness of a sound is measured in decibels (dB). Normal hearing is between 0 and 25 dB. Children with a mild hearing loss cannot hear sounds that are softer than 40 dB. A hearing aid can usually help children with a mild hearing loss hear better.

Moderate hearing loss

Children with a moderate hearing loss cannot hear sounds that are softer than 65 dB. They do not hear and understand much of what other people say. Often, a hearing aid helps children with a moderate hearing loss hear better.

Severe hearing loss

Children with a severe hearing loss cannot hear sounds that are softer than 95 dB. They usually do not hear and understand anything that other people are saying. Sometimes, a hearing aid can help them hear better, but many children with a severe hearing loss use a cochlear implant (CI) to hear.

Profound hearing loss

Children with a profound hearing loss cannot hear sounds even if they are louder than 95 dB. Cochlear implants (CIs) help many children with a profound hearing loss.