At what level is 0 dB HL defined?

0 dB HL, or decibels Hearing Level, is defined at the threshold of hearing. This means it represents the lowest sound level that an average person with normal hearing can detect. When audiologists conduct hearing tests, they use 0 dB HL as a reference point against which they measure an individual’s hearing thresholds. This standardization ensures that test results can be compared consistently across different individuals and situations.

The concept of 0 dB HL is crucial in audiology, as it allows clinicians to understand whether a patient's hearing is within normal limits or if there is a hearing loss present. Therefore, understanding this benchmark is essential for interpreting audiometric data effectively.