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An average hearing level between 0 and 15 dB (hearing level) is normal (green), 16 to 25 dB is a slight
hearing loss (orange), 26-40 dB is a mild hearing loss (yellow), 41 to 55 dB is a moderate loss (red), 56
to 70 dB is a moderately-severe loss (blue), and 71 dB or higher is a severe or profound loss (purple). A
child with average hearing loss from MEE in both ears (28 dB) would barely hear so speech, with some
children barely aware of normal speech or a baby crying.
Reproduced with permission: Rosenfeld RM. A parent's guide to ear tubes. PMPH-USA; 2005.
Figure 3. Hearing Levels
