Hearing loss that is twenty-six to forty decibels is considered mild hearing loss. A hearing loss of at least sixteen decibels but less than twenty-six decibels is categorized as slight hearing loss. Mild hearing loss is often left untreated though it can usually be vastly improved with the use of hearing aids.

The hearing loss caused by mild hearing loss may not pose many hearing problems except in environments with considerable background noise. People with mild hearing loss may also have difficulty hearing people who speak softly.

Mild hearing loss is most commonly high-frequency hearing loss. Mild hearing loss is characterized by impaired hearing of high tones and normal hearing of low tones.

Sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss can be mild hearing loss. Damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve causes sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is characterized by a blockage of sound to the inner ear.

Inner ear infections are a common cause of mild hearing loss in children. Mild hearing loss may also be caused by noise exposure. Sensorineural hearing loss from noise exposure can be caused by a noisy work environment and exposure to loud music or other sources of loud noise.

The mild hearing loss can affect one or both ears. Bilateral hearing loss is a hearing impairment in both ears. Hearing loss that affects only one ear is called unilateral hearing loss.

Mild hearing loss is only one type of hearing loss severity. Hearing loss of forty-one to fifty-five decibels is moderate hearing loss. Moderately severe hearing loss is a hearing loss of at least fifty-six decibels but less than seventy-one decibels.

Severe hearing loss is a hearing loss between seventy-one to ninety decibels. Profound hearing loss is a hearing loss of at least ninety-one decibels.

The severity of the hearing loss is determined by the results of a hearing test. The best treatment for a hearing loss depends on the type of hearing loss and the severity of the hearing loss.

Many people with mild hearing loss neglect to seek treatment for the hearing loss. Being self-conscious about hearing aids and the cost of hearing aids are two common reasons people with mild hearing loss neglect to use hearing aids.