Hard of hearing: threshold of

• A. 10 dB
• B. 25 dB
• C. 40 dB
• D. 20 dB

Answer: (D)

Threshold in audiology is the softest sound a person can detect, measured in dB HL. Normal hearing typically ranges from about 0 to 25 dB HL. Hard of hearing refers to mild or greater hearing loss, and in many classifications the lower boundary of that category is placed at around 20 dB HL, which is the point where hearing begins to be noticeably reduced for some individuals. That’s why 20 dB is the best answer: it sits at the boundary between normal hearing and a detectable, mild loss. A 10 dB threshold is still within normal hearing, a 25 dB threshold is often considered at the upper edge of normal in some schemes, and 40 dB indicates a more substantial loss, well into the mild-to-moderate range.