Audiometric tests (pure tones and speech) were conducted on deafened ears in quiet and at several levels of calibrated white noise. The cases were classed into six groups based upon results of their threshold audiograms. “Recession” describes the gradual approach toward normal levels with increasing noise of masking curves obtained from such ears. In cases displaying recruitment recession was relatively rapid, although not complete in some cases. A pure tone‐to‐speech perception ratio was established between the three audiometer frequencies within the speech range and the level of the 50 percent spondee score. Corrections were applied for (1) the type of loss and (2) the subject's unfamiliarity with the quietness of audiometric test rooms. This ratio is expected to differentiate speech losses as to their auditory or extra‐auditory origin. From the results of speech tests, the “Social Adequacy Index for Hearing” in noise was evaluated in the same manner customarily used under quiet conditions. Adjustment of the test results was necessitated because of the narrowing of the “Useful Auditory Area” induced by noise. The SAI frequently increased but in some cases decreased with noise, indicating the relative hearing efficiency in noise of deafened subjects.