A number of hearing-related conditions can be detected in children and adults. However, before a diagnosis is made, the condition may have resulted in a loss of hearing sensitivity or hearing range. All these signs should be noted by a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be provided according to the severity of the case.

The early signs of hearing loss are defined as the first changes noticed in hearing, which are different for each individual. These changes may be associated with fluctuating grades or grades, or may be enough to cause professional concern.

Signs of hearing loss in children are listed below

Changes in the child's tone of voice, after yelling for a long time can indicate rapid loss of hearing sensitivity. The child is then responsible for the support of its voice by increasing the volume level at any time, it can also further damage its hearing sensitivity.

It is important to note that children are more sensitive to changes in their ears than adults are. They are probably more likely to notice tinnitus. However, tinnitus always indicates an underlying problem that needs attention.

Children tend to notice changes in their hearing first because there are fewer other signals to distract them from it. However, they are not the only ones who can detect the early signs of hearing loss. Significant changes have also been observed in adults who suffer from hearing problems.

Children who can not hear in noise without using headphones, even if it is a bit distracting, will be able to learn and develop fully in school. The lack of hearing sensitivity in children is a serious problem in the classroom and it should be remedied immediately. It is very important that children with hearing problems seek medical attention at once so that they can get treatment right away. These children may also have difficulty communicating with other children or adults around them.

Signs of hearing loss in adults are listed below

Sometimes a ringing sensation, called tinnitus, is felt by people with changes in hearing sensitivity. It is a problem more commonly associated with age. People who have constant exposure to loud noises, such as factory workers or musicians, may also develop hearing problems. In both cases, medical attention should be sought at once because this condition can lead to permanent deafness if it is not treated on time. Most hearing-related conditions can be treated if caught early enough.

The loss of hearing sensitivity might also lead to a reduction in speech discrimination, which means that it will be more and more difficult for the person to understand what is being said. This can be due to changes in the sensitivity of hearing, as well as changes in the meaning of sounds.

Hearing changes may also be accompanied by an increase in irritability or moodiness.

A difficulty in understanding speech may appear only at certain times of the day (for example, early morning). This can indicate a problem with tinnitus or poor hearing sensitivity at this time.

It is also possible that you do not notice any change in your hearing, but the people around you become aware of a problem. This can be due to a decrease in your ability to hear and understand speech.

These changes may appear suddenly and may vary significantly from one person to another. Hearing sensitivity problems vary from patient to patient and can be briefly noticed or be permanent.

One should always consult a professional (e.g., Audiologist), when these changes occur, even if they are temporary problems. However, one should consider other possibilities such as flu, colds etc., before seeking medical attention for these conditions.

Getting older

As you get older you may notice;

• The voices of others may seem to fade, especially in noisy places
• The TV may seem louder than you remember it being. Conversations with another person may also seem louder.
• You may struggle to hear over the telephone or when others are speaking at close range because you are concentrating on lip-reading.
• You are constantly turning up the volume on the TV, radio or stereo to compensate for reduced hearing.
• You may find it harder to hear conversations of people who are not speaking loudly, especially in a loud environment.
• You may miss what was said, because you could not hear it properly, and then you might say: “what did he say?” or “he said that?” and then try and repeat what was actually spoken earlier.

The early signs of hearing loss can also be seen in others – for example – they might: – yawn frequently – blink less – whistle more than usual – say they can't hear something when someone else next to them shouts out the answer. You should always consider the possibility that you might have hearing problems before making an appointment with your doctor, so that you can treat them early.

Facts about signs of hearing loss

Hearing loss is not an inevitable part of growing old or ageing, although there are many elderly people who have it. If it is not too late to prevent hearing loss, prevention is always recommended. Many people think that older people are at greater risk of developing permanent damage due to their age, but this is not true.

Hearing loss can occur at any age! Although some forms of hearing loss are very serious, other types can be treated effectively if caught early enough.

A person with mild hearing loss will often not be aware that he or she has a problem and may begin to struggle with understanding what people are saying after noticing little changes in their ability to hear.

How do I know if I'm hard of hearing?

If you find yourself frequently asking “What did you say?” or “I can't hear you”, it's possible that you may have a hearing problem. The following guidelines suggest the common signs of hearing loss. They provide information on what to look for and what to do if you feel there is a problem:

• Do you frequently complain that others talk too quietly?
• Do voices sound muffled or distant?

Do people seem to mumble? Can so-called intelligible speech be understood only half the time, understanding after several repetitions is difficult? 

All of these can be a sign of hearing loss

At what age do you start losing your hearing?

At about 40 years of age there is a noticeable loss in hearing sensitivity. This is due to the gradual formation of proteins inside the inner ear mechanical channels known as the hair cells. With age, these proteins are lost frequently and with them goes most of your ability to hear.

At about 80 years of age, many older people have also lost most of their hearing sensitivity, although they may not realize it because they are usually very aware of their inability to hear. For these reasons, it is important to have your hearing checked regularly so that any problems with hearing can be treated before they become serious.

What is the most common reason for hearing loss?

Noise! The most common reason for hearing loss is exposure to noise. Our ears can often hear sounds that are more than 100 decibels. However, our ears are not designed to put up with noise of this intensity for long periods of time without proper protection.

When exposed to noise of higher decibel levels for longer than 15 minutes, the eardrum can be damaged, which may lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.

What happens if hearing loss is not treated?

If you have mild hearing loss, you may be able to cope for a while without realizing it. But after several years of not hearing your best, you may start to experience depression, stress and difficulty concentrating.

If you have moderate hearing loss, you may notice it affecting your ability to communicate. You may begin to feel embarrassed or dissatisfied with your life, especially if you have always been able to hear well and now find that it has changed. You may also experience stress and depression.

If you have severe hearing loss, it will be difficult for you to cope and in serious cases it can affect your ability to function in everyday life and in the workplace.

Conclusion

Hearing loss can be a big obstacle in everyday life and is not something you should ignore. If you feel your hearing is not what it used to be, it is important to have it checked by a professional. By protecting your hearing, we can help prevent further damage and help maintain your ability to communicate.