Common Hearing Loss Symptoms in Adults and Children

Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S., with nearly 48 million people experiencing it to some degree.¹ Hearing loss can strike at any age and, when left untreated, it can negatively impact a person's quality of life — from relationships to careers, from physical to mental health issues.

What makes hearing loss especially difficult is that sometimes it can creep in unnoticed. Often, people experiencing hearing loss are unaware of their condition, since symptoms may appear slowly, over time.¹ While there are different types and causes of hearing loss, many of the symptoms are similar in both adults and children. Understanding what these symptoms are and being able to recognize them can help you know when to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one.

Types of Hearing Loss

While hearing loss is typically gradual, there are rarer types that come on more suddenly. Damage to your inner, middle or outer ear can contribute to hearing loss.

The main types of hearing loss are:²

1. Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss involves the outer or middle ear and can be caused by factors like tumors, abnormal bone growth or ear infections.² It affects about 10% of people with hearing loss.³

2. Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss affects the inner ear and is the most common type of hearing loss.³ It may result from damage to your inner ear hairs or nerve pathways to your brain.³ Both aging and loud noise can cause inner ear damage.²

Read more: Understanding Sensorineural and Conductive Hearing Loss

3. Mixed hearing loss

This type involves both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.²

4. Sudden hearing loss

While most hearing loss happens gradually, about 3 in every 10,000 people experience sudden hearing loss every year.¹ This typically affects just one ear and it may be difficult to determine the cause.¹ You might hear a popping in your ear before you lose your hearing, feel dizzy or feel like your ear is stuffy.³ If this happens to you, it's imperative to see a doctor or audiologist as soon as possible.

Common Hearing Loss Symptoms in Adults

Here are some of the most common symptoms of hearing loss in adults. If you notice any of these, you should visit a hearing specialist.

• Decreased ability to hear high-pitched sounds, including children's or female voices.¹ (Often sensorineural hearing loss.)³
• Trouble hearing the "s" and "f" sound. (Often sensorineural hearing loss.)³
• Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments or in a crowd.²
• Other people say you listen to the TV too loudly.¹
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves or talk slower.²
• Thinking others are mumbling or not speaking clearly.¹
• Difficulty hearing others on the phone.³
• Can't hear birds chirping. (Often sensorineural hearing loss.)³
• Trouble locating where sound is coming from.³
• Exhaustion after a social event due to listening fatigue.³
• Not hearing the beeping on a microwave or a car's turn signal. (Often sensorineural hearing loss.)³
• Hearing ringing or roaring in your ears (a symptom of tinnitus.)¹

All of these symptoms, even the mildest, can impact your quality of life. You may feel depressed, isolated or find your job impacted.¹ That's why it's important to seek treatment.

Common Hearing Loss Symptoms in Children

Hearing loss can have a profound effect on a child's development. Some common symptoms include of hearing loss in children include:

• Not startling to loud noises or turning to familiar sounds as a baby⁴
• Not following directions, which might be mistaken for ignoring adults⁴
• Saying "huh" in response to questions⁴
• Not speaking clearly or having delayed speech⁴
• Listening to the TV at too high of a volume⁴
• Any delay in reaching a developmental milestone⁴

When left untreated, hearing loss can have a profound impact on your child's development, delaying speech and causing poor performance in school.³ A child frustrated by undiagnosed hearing loss might have behavioral problems, as well.

What to Do if You or Your Child Has Symptoms of Hearing Loss

One of the best things you can do is be proactive and seek help as soon as you or a loved one suspect hearing loss. Schedule an appointment with a hearing professional who can perform a baseline hearing test and discuss the best treatment options based on symptoms and individual needs.

There are a wide range of treatments for hearing loss, such as:¹

• Hearing aids for permanent loss
• Ear wax removal to reverse blocked hearing
• Stopping medication contributing to hearing loss, or taking antibiotics to clear up an infection
• Surgery to reverse scar tissue or damage from certain diseases
• Cochlear implants for profound hearing loss

How to Prevent Hearing Loss

Unfortunately, hearing loss often can't be reversed, so it's best to try to prevent or minimize it in the first place.¹ The steps below are a good place to start.

1. Reduce your exposure to loud sounds

Exposure to loud noise can lead to hearing loss.² The EPA says anything above 70 decibels can be unsafe. And the higher decibel of sound, the less time it takes to cause permanent damage. So whether at work, home or at play, protect your ears. Try to lower the volume on your headphones or TV. Wear ear protection.¹ This can even include protecting your ears while you're mowing the grass, vacuuming or attending a concert where the music will be played loudly.

2. Watch for illnesses and medications that can cause hearing loss

Certain medications carry risks of hearing loss. Some antibiotics, erectile dysfunction drugs, loop diuretics, malaria drugs and chemotherapy drugs, among others, risk hearing loss.¹

Illnesses can also increase your risk. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease can all interfere with the blood supply to your ears.¹ Trauma like a punctured eardrum, infections and even ear wax can hurt your hearing.

That's why it's so important to see your doctor about a suspected illness and ask about the side effects of any new medication.

3. Get your hearing tested

Even if you don't think you have hearing loss, you should still get your hearing tested regularly — especially if your work or play time involves a noisy environment.² Since most hearing loss goes unnoticed at first, regular testing may help you catch it faster. There are even free mobile apps that can help you test for hearing loss.¹

Hearing loss can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health, affecting everything from your home life to your career trajectory. It can even hinder your child from reaching important developmental milestones. If you suspect hearing loss, seek help from a hearing specialist right away.

Read More: 12 Tips to Improve and Prevent Hearing Loss

Financing Ear Care With The CareCredit Credit Card

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings, and more.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.