What is Moderate Hearing Loss?

Q: What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Q: Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

Q: What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Q: Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

Q: How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Q: Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

Q: How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

What is Moderate Hearing Loss?

Understanding moderate hearing loss

Not a little, not a lot

We often talk about hearing loss in extremes, such as profound and severe, or just a bit 'hard of hearing'. But what about that middle ground? When you're not completely cut off from the world of sound, but things definitely aren't as clear as they used to be? That's where moderate hearing loss comes in.

Even though it's not too little, not too much, it is definitely enough to cause a fair bit of disruption to your daily life. So, let's have a look at what moderate hearing loss actually is, how it might be affecting you, and what can be done about it.

What is moderate hearing loss?

Hearing loss is measured in decibels (db), and normal hearing means you can hear pretty quiet sounds, like a whisper or the rustling of leaves. Moderate hearing loss, on the other hand, means you can only hear sounds that are a bit louder.

So, with moderate hearing loss, those everyday sounds, like the TV at a reasonable level, a chat with a friend in the cafe, or the doorbell ringing, all need to be louder for you to hear and understand them.

Here is an overview of the different levels of hearing loss and what you would generally struggle with in that range:

Normal hearing: 0-20 db - You can hear a whisper.
Mild hearing loss: 21-40 db - You can hear soft speech.
Moderate hearing loss: 41-70 db - You can hear normal conversation, but it's a bit like someone's turned the volume down.
Severe hearing loss: 71-90 db - You can only hear loud speech.
Profound hearing loss: 91+ db - You might only hear very loud noises, if at all.

It's important to understand that moderate hearing loss isn't just about missing the odd word here and there. It's about the effort it takes to actually hear. When you have normal hearing, listening is something you do without even thinking about it. But when you have moderate hearing loss, your brain has to work much harder to process sound and understand it.

This can lead to:

Fatigue: You might feel tired and drained after social events or situations where you've had to concentrate hard on listening.
Stress: The constant struggle to hear can make you feel stressed, anxious, or even a bit irritable.
Social withdrawal: You might start avoiding social situations because you're worried about not being able to hear, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
Difficulty concentrating: You might find it harder to focus on tasks, as your brain is too busy trying to process sound.

Related reading: Digital and listening fatigue

What it feels like to have moderate hearing loss

In quiet environments, you might hear and get by relatively okay. You can also have a one-on-one conversation without too much trouble, and you can enjoy your favourite radio show without cranking up the volume. However, when things get a bit noisier, that's when the challenges really start to be felt.

Here are some real-life experiences you might recognise:

The pub quiz: You're out with your friends, and between the quizmaster's voice, the chatter of the other teams, and the clinking of glasses, you're struggling to keep up. You end up missing half the questions and feeling a bit left out.
Family gatherings: It's your birthday party, and everyone's gathered at your house. The kids are running around, your friend is trying to tell you a story, and there's music playing in the background. Eventually, you find yourself constantly asking people to repeat themselves, and you are left feeling exhausted.
The theatre: You're having a hard time following the dialogue, especially during the quieter moments. You end up missing some important plot and feeling a bit frustrated.
Phone calls: On the phone, you keep saying "Pardon?" and "Could you speak up a bit?", which can be awkward for both people involved.

Related reading: I'm finding it difficult to hear on the phone

What's the next step?

The good news is that moderate hearing loss can often be effectively managed. The most common solution is hearing aids. Modern hearing aids are more technologically and aesthetically advanced than those of the past. They're small, discreet, and packed with clever technology that can make a real difference to your hearing.

In short, a hearing aid works by amplifying the sounds around you, making them louder and clearer. An audiologist will be able to assess your hearing and recommend the best type of hearing aid for your needs.

If you recognise any of the situations or symptoms described above, it's definitely worth getting your hearing checked. You can start by visiting your GP, who can refer you to an audiologist for a hearing assessment.

A hearing test is quick, painless, and can provide you with valuable information about your hearing health. And if it turns out you do have moderate hearing loss, remember that there are solutions available that can help you enjoy a better quality of life.

Think you have moderate hearing loss?

Moderate hearing loss is a middle ground between normal hearing and severe hearing loss, where everyday sounds need to be louder to be heard.

It can make social situations, like pub quizzes, family gatherings, and phone calls, challenging.

This type of hearing loss isn't just about missing words; it's about the effort it takes to hear, leading to fatigue, stress, and social withdrawal.

Fortunately, it can often be managed effectively with hearing aids, and early detection is key.

Common FAQs about hearing aids and hearing loss

Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you?

In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case.

Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you.
Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need?
Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it.

If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?

What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

What are channels, and how many do I need?

Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

How much does the hearing test cost?

Do home visits cost extra?

How come you're much cheaper than other places?

What is Moderate Hearing Loss?: The causes, symptoms, and treatments available