What range of severity defines normal to profound hearing loss?

Profound hearing loss is characterized by a significant inability to hear sounds, which typically starts at a threshold of around 90 dB and above. This means that sounds must be exceedingly loud for individuals with profound hearing loss to detect them.

The classification of hearing loss severity ranges from normal hearing, with thresholds from -10 to around 20 dB, through varying degrees of hearing loss - mild, moderate, and severe - up to profound, which indicates the highest level of hearing impairment.

In essence, the correct understanding of hearing loss severity is that normal hearing is generally up to 20 dB, with anything over 90 dB indicating profound loss. This categorization aids audiologists and healthcare professionals in diagnosing and planning appropriate interventions for individuals with varying degrees of hearing impairment.