Hearing Loss Simulator

Hear what hearing loss sounds like

Listen to everyday sounds the way they might sound with mild, moderate or severe hearing loss. Use headphones for the best result.

1. Choose a sound

A friend inviting you for coffee. Speech sounds such as s, f and th are among the first to fade.

2. Choose a level of hearing loss

For the best result, use headphones and set a comfortable volume while listening at Normal hearing, then switch levels while the sound plays.

This is a simplified illustration. Real hearing loss is different for every person, and it affects how clear sounds are, not only how loud they are. Only a hearing test can show your own hearing.

What you are hearing

Hearing loss often affects high pitches first. That is why sounds can seem loud enough but still unclear.

Mild

Soft voices, whispers and high sounds such as birdsong become hard to hear. Conversations in noisy places start to feel tiring.

Moderate

Normal speech sounds muffled, and similar words are easy to mix up. Following a conversation without seeing faces becomes difficult.

Severe

Most speech is not heard without help, although some loud sounds may still be heard. Hearing aids or a hearing implant are usually needed.

Why speech gets unclear

Many consonants, such as s, f and th, are soft and high-pitched. When they fade, people can hear that someone is talking but not what they are saying.

Did something sound familiar?

If everyday sounds seem muffled or unclear, a hearing test will show what is happening and what can help.