In a hearing assessment, what does a threshold of 0 dB HL indicate?

A threshold of 0 dB HL (decibels Hearing Level) indicates that a person has normal hearing sensitivity. This measurement serves as a reference point in audiometry, where 0 dB HL is aligned with the softest sounds that an average young person with normal hearing can detect across various frequencies.

When an individual has a threshold of 0 dB HL, it means they can hear sounds that are at the very limit of human hearing ability, demonstrating no indication of hearing loss. This is crucial for identifying hearing impairments, as thresholds above 0 dB HL suggest varying degrees of hearing loss. Therefore, a threshold of 0 dB HL is considered to reflect optimal auditory function in a hearing assessment context.