What are some signs of hearing loss?
One out of five Minnesotans, or about 20% of people over age 12, have a hearing loss ("Hearing loss prevalence in the United States"). Hearing loss can occur any time: before birth, during childhood or later in life. It can be sudden or gradual. The information on this page can help you spot signs of hearing loss. It may be hard for people to recognize their own hearing loss.
People who have hearing loss may:
- Have trouble distinguishing words that sound similar.
- Respond incorrectly in social situations.
- Hear men more clearly than women and children.
- Turn head to one side or cup one ear to improve hearing.
- Respond with a smile and a nod without further comments.
- Have difficulty conversing in the car.
- Have difficulty hearing on the phone.
- Intently watch others’ mouths.
- Ask others to repeat what they say.
- Find it hard to follow conversations in a group setting and in noisy situations.
- Not respond in group discussions or at family gatherings.
- Avoid or withdraw from social situations.
- Often not hear the phone or doorbell.
- Turn up volume too loud when watching television or listening to the radio.
- Complain that people mumble.
- Feel exhausted after conversations and social gatherings.
- Have ringing and/or buzzing sounds in the ear, known as tinnitus.
Children may show any of the signs above and other signs of hearing loss. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (What is hearing loss in children?), says the following symptoms might indicate hearing loss in children:
- Speech delays.
- Not speaking clearly.
- Not following directions. People sometimes mistake this for the child not paying attention or ignoring directions. It is a good idea to have the child's hearing tested though.
- Often saying, “Huh?”
According to the CDC, infants show the following signs:
- They do not startle at loud noises.
- They do not turn towards sources of sound after 6 months old.
- They are not saying words, such as “dada” or “mama” by 1 year old.
- They turn their head when they see you but not if you only call their name. People sometimes mistake this for not paying attention or ignoring but the infant could have a hearing loss.
- They seem to hear some sounds but not others.
What to do if you suspect a hearing loss
Schedule a medical exam with a doctor. It is a good idea to see a specialist, such as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.
Also contact an audiologist to schedule a hearing test. A hearing test measures hearing. An audiologist will suggest appropriate treatment if a hearing loss is diagnosed.
Learn more
You can find these resources and more on our Publications page!
Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services Division is here to help you:
