- Mild Flat Loss
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Mild flat losses are recognized by feeling all sounds are dimmer that they used to be. Mild flat loss sufferers tend to listen to the TV or radio at higher volume than others do, finding that it is relaxing to have sounds turned up enough so they aren't straining to hear.
- Moderate Loss
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People with moderate loss know they have hearing loss and it interferes with normal day to day activities if not corrected by wearing hearing aids. Open fit hearing aids with modern technology are well suited to moderate hearing losses.
- Mild High Frequency Loss
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The high frequency portion of the group of sounds that make up a word may be inaudible to people with high frequency loss. Hearing speech is as easy but understanding becomes more difficult as the loss deepens. Traditionally High Frequency Loss has been one of the hardest to attain satisfactory improvement in hearing with hearing aids. Open ear or open fit hearing aids are the preferred style of hearing aids for moderate high frequency hearing loss.
- Moderate to Severe High Frequency Loss
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Commonly associated with noise damage, as well as aging, high frequency loss is common. High frequency hearing loss has benefited from vast improvements in hearing aid technology recently. More advance open ear hearing aids with feedback cancellation work well for severe high frequency hearing loss.
- Severe Loss
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People suffering of severe losses have fewer choices in hearing aids. A good physical fit is critical, hearing aids must fit very tight to hold the sound in the ear canal but not so tight it makes the ear or ear canal sore. Traditional BTEs are the products that work best and give the least amount of trouble.