1. A computer implemented method of assessing hearing characteristics of a person, the method comprising: providing, by a processor, a series of sounds to an interface configured to present the series of sounds to a person, wherein different sounds in the series of sounds corresponding to at least one of a presence, absence or irrelevance of a predetermined plurality of consonant features, wherein the predetermined plurality of consonant features comprises at least a Nasal feature, a Compact feature, and a Grave feature; determining, by the processor, a hearing capability of the person based on responses of the person to the series of sounds; and assigning, by the processor, the person to one of a predetermined plurality of classes based upon the responses of the person, each of the plurality of classes describing errors made primarily with respect to the Nasal, Compact, and Grave consonant features.