10 Ways to Recognize Hearing Loss

In our country there are over 28 million people that suffer from hearing loss. Children, adults, and seniors are all prone to hearing loss either from genetic problems, exposure to high levels of noise, toxins, drugs, physical damage, and age, just to name a few. The largest group of Americans that experience hearing loss is the elderly population. Roughly 30-35% of seniors experience age-related hearing loss and require hearing aids. Genetic factors are thought to cause more than 50% of all incidents of hearing loss in children that begins at birth or shortly thereafter.

Recognizing hearing loss is very important because treatment can improve communication for adults and help children learn the essential language skills needed for development. Hearing loss for adults can lead to depression, decreased communication skills, attendance to fewer social events, and feelings of embarrassment of their condition. Hearing is a sense that should be enjoyed throughout the lifespan so correcting hearing loss as early as possible is very important. Hearing loss in children is sometimes more difficult to recognize but being aware of symptoms is key to early screening. Speech delay, recurring or frequent ear infections, and poor performance in school are all ways to take notice of changes in a child’s hearing abilities. Awareness of birth defects, genetic diseases, and a history of hearing loss in the family are also ways to identify hearing loss at an early age. Treating hearing loss in children at an early age will improve their verbal and cognitive development, improve social skills, and decrease the stress associated with being unable to hear their peers and family.

Take this short quiz to determine if you or someone you love should see an audiologist for a hearing test.