Though hearing loss can have many causes, the symptoms of hearing loss are similar. Research shows that people wait on average 10 ten years before seeking help with their hearing loss. This delay can make the adjustment to hearing aids and amplification more difficult.
Do you have signs of hearing loss?
These are some questions to ask yourself if you feel you may have a hearing difficulty:
- Do loved ones or family comment that the volume on your TV or radio is too loud?
- Perhaps you missed visits and calls from people because you didn’t hear the doorbell or telephone ringing?
- Do you have trouble following conversations in crowded or noisy environments?
- Do people seem to mumble and not speak clearly ?
- Do people tell you that you speak too loudly?
- Do you frequently ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do your friends and family suggest that you have a hearing problem?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have some degree of hearing loss and you should have your hearing assessed by an ISHAA Registered and Qualified Hearing Aid Audiologist.
A child’s ability to talk and communicate clearly depends on the ability to hear. Inconsistency in age-appropriate language skills is also one of the usual symptoms of hearing loss. Hearing problems in children can develop before, during, and after birth, as well as with younger and older children. Hearing and perceiving acoustic signals are necessary for speech and hearing development. Research has shown that a childs intellectual and personal development is closely linked to hearing.
Symptoms of hearing loss in children.
If you think your child might have a hearing problem, answering these questions will help:
- Are your child’s language skills delayed or not age appropriate?
- Does your child have trouble understanding speech correctly?
- Does your child behave unresponsively to loud sounds or sleep through them?
- Does your child have difficulties imitating sounds?
- Is your child unable to locate where a sound is coming from?
- Do you feel that your child withdraws in group settings?
- Has your child had frequent ear infections?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a chance that your child may have some degree of hearing loss. Have a hearing assesment conducted by a hearing care professional even if this test does not indicate a hearing difficulty with your child. It is important to address your child’s potential hearing loss quickly to avoid difficulties in language acquisition and learning. The earlier it is diagnosed, the earlier appropriate intervention measures can be taken. An ISHAA registered Paediatric Audiologist can guide you, and advise you the best course of action to take.
