"HOW DOES HEARING LOSS EFFECT LISTENING TO SPEECH?"
The term "configuration of speech" refers to the pattern or
shape of the hearing loss on the audiogram. Both the degree and the configuration
of hearing loss will affect the ability to hear sounds which have most of
their energy in that region.
This graph shows the frequency and intensity where sounds of speech occur
in average conversation. For example, an "s" sound has energy
between 4000 and 8000 hertz (Hz) at an intensity of approximately 35 dB
hearing level. A person with hearing thresholds greater than 35 dB hearing
level in that region may not hear the "s" sound.
Understanding
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