How to Recognize the Symptoms of Deafness

Hearing loss and deafness affects millions of people in the United States. Symptoms can come on suddenly or so gradually that they go undetected for years. It is important to recognize the symptoms of hearing loss because treatment can improve communication for adults and help children to develop crucial language skills. Read on to learn how to recognize the symptoms of deafness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Physician

Recognize the Symptoms of Temporary Hearing Loss

1. Be aware that temporary deafness, or conductive hearing loss, can often be treated with medication to clear infections or surgery to repair perforated eardrums, drain fluid or remove the buildup of earwax.
2. Recognize a reduction in sound in one or both ears. You may also feel dizziness or pain, a ringing in the ears known as Tinnitus or ear fullness. It is important to diagnose and treat temporary hearing loss to prevent complications and rule out other disorders.
3. Keep a record of your symptoms to share with your physician.

Recognize the Symptoms of Permanent Hearing Loss

4. Know that permanent, or sensorineural, hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and can occur at any age. It is treated with methods to amplify hearing and improve communication.
5. Recognize that sounds become less clear, even when they are loud enough to be heard.
6. Be aware of patterns, such as asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume on the television to the point where it is uncomfortable for others, or having difficulty hearing voices over background noise. Take the test on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website to determine your level of hearing loss. See the Resources section below for a link.
7. Recognize hearing loss in an infant or child, including not responding to sounds and failure to develop speech skills. Review the Language Development Timeline on the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing website. See the Resources section below for a link.
8. Contact a physician for a complete physical exam or an audiologist-administered hearing test.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear protective earplugs in noisy situations.
• Know that early detection of hearing loss in children is key to the development of language skills.
• Be aware that untreated hearing loss can cause physical complications, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, ulcers and digestive problems.