Signs of hearing disorders

Early identification of hearing loss in newborns is very important. Untreated hearing loss can slow a child's development in significant ways. In adults, hearing loss also can have a dramatic impact on function and wellbeing.

Behaviors that may be telling you about hearing disorders:

• Infant doesn't babble
• Infant doesn't respond to familiar voices
• Child doesn't talk at same age as other children, or doesn't talk as much
• Person doesn't follow sounds or voices with eyes
• Ignores loud, unexpected noises; doesn't blink or startle
• Sleeps through loud noises, voices
• Turns up TV or radio sound so that they are too loud for others, or no longer listens to music, radio
• Pays no attention when others speak; ignores spoken requests
• Talks too loudly
• Turns head to position one ear closer to sound
• Often asks people to repeat themselves
• Becomes confused during conversations, especially if there is loud background noise or several people speaking
• Difficulty hearing the phone, unwillingness to talk on phone
• Withdraws from social contact
• Often seems disinterested, slow to respond, "out of it"

Other factors that may indicate the presence of a hearing disorder include:

• Friends, family members are concerned about the person's hearing
• Family history of hearing or speaking problems
• Ears ring or buzz
• Voice sounds odd
• Infection of or damage to ear drum, mastoiditis
• Overuses certain medicines, such as aspirin or gentamicin
• Presence of:
  • Down syndrome
  • High blood pressure
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Leukemia
  • Meniere's disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Osteosclerosis
  • Paget's disease
  • Skull malformation

Do you think someone's behavior may be telling you about a hearing disorder? Talk with your doctor or other health care provider. They can work with you to learn whether this is the case.