When patients tell me, “I’ve lost 50% of my hearing,” I know what they mean — but in audiology, that statement doesn’t really mean much.

In this episode of Earvangelism, I unpack why talking about hearing loss in percentages creates confusion, and what language actually helps audiologists understand your hearing health. We’ll explore:

• Why “percent hearing loss” isn’t a standard measure in audiology

• The terms that truly matter: severity in decibels, affected frequencies, type of hearing loss, and which ear is involved

• How speaking the right “hearing language” makes diagnosis and treatment more accurate

If you’ve ever struggled to explain your hearing to a professional, this episode will give you the vocabulary to be heard...and understood.