Hearing impairments are identified as an area of disability under the IDEA. Individual states typically specify criteria for the degree of hearing impairment or hearing loss necessary to qualify as a disability for the purposes of special education or a Section 504 plan.
Consequently, there will be some variability in criteria from one state to the next. The World Health Organization however, has established general guidelines on degrees of hearing impairment that will be reasonably close to those determined by states for general information purposes:
- 0 - No impairment. This is a loss of 25 dB or better in the better ear and would indicate little or no hearing problems. People with this degree of hearing ability can hear whispers.
- 1 - Slight impairment. This is a loss of 26 - 40 dB better ear. People at this level can hear some words spoken in a normal voice at 1 meter. Counseling and hearing aides may be recommended at this level.
- 2 - Moderate impairment - This is a loss of 41 - 60 dB in the better ear. People at this level can hear and repeat words spoken in a raised voice at 1 meter. Hearing aids usually recommended at this level.
- 3 - Severe impairment - This is a loss of 61 - 80 dB in the better ear. People at this level can hear some words when shouted into the better ear. Hearing aids are a necessity at this level. Teaching lip reading and signing is typically recommended at this level.
- 4 - Profound impairment - This is a loss of 81 dB or greater in the better ear. People at this level are unable to hear and understand a shouted voice. Hearing aids may help understanding words in some cases. Teaching lip reading and sign language is recommended at this level.
- Deafness - Typically involves complete inability to hear.
