There is no perfect score. The closer to 0 your Hearing Number is, the softer the sounds you can hear. Everyone’s Hearing Number changes over time, as part of the natural changes to the inner ear that we all experience along our hearing health journey.
Assessing hearing regularly can help you be aware of any changes to your hearing and know when to take action. This could include adopting simple strategies like using noise protection to preserve your hearing, adopting communication techniques, or using everyday technologies like personalizing smartphone outputs to meet your hearing needs.
It can be surprising if your Hearing Number is higher than you expected. Knowing your Hearing Number gives you a reference point to show how much change happens over time, compared to just being told that you have mild or moderate hearing loss.
The Hearing Number is not a diagnostic tool. Hearing care professionals, such as audiologists, ENTs/otolaryngologists, and hearing aid specialists can provide full assessments of hearing. Talk to your doctor if your right and left ear Hearing Numbers are different by more than 10 or if you have had any persistent ear pain, dizziness, ear drainage, or sudden or fluctuating hearing loss.