What does 0 dB HL indicate?

The correct answer is that 0 dB HL serves as a reference point for normal hearing. In audiology, dB HL, or decibels hearing level, is a standardized measurement that indicates how a person’s hearing compares to a norm for hearing sensitivity. The reference level of 0 dB HL does not signify the absence of sound; instead, it represents the lowest sound intensity that an average person with normal hearing can detect for a specific frequency.

This measurement is crucial in audiology as it allows professionals to assess hearing levels in comparison to a normative standard. By using 0 dB HL as a reference point, audiologists can determine whether an individual's hearing thresholds are within the range of normal hearing or if there is a degree of hearing loss present.