Early Warning Signs of Hearing Loss in Different Life Stages [An indicative check-list on how to determine if one needs to get their hearing assessed]

Hearing loss is a common problem that can occur at any age, and it’s important to be aware of the hearing loss symptoms that are commonly experienced at different life-stages so that you can seek treatment early on for yourself or someone you know who may be experiencing the symptoms. Here are some common early signs of hearing loss in each life-stage:

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Children

Hearing loss in children can be difficult to detect because they may not know how to express that they are having difficulty hearing. Some common signs of hearing loss in children include:

• Not responding when someone calls out their name
• Having trouble following conversations or instructions
• Struggling with learning to speak or having speech delays
• Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
• Having difficulty hearing certain sounds or distinguishing between similar-sounding words
• Struggling to hear in noisy environments
• Turning the TV or radio volume up excessively

It’s important to have your child’s hearing tested regularly, as early treatment can help improve their language and communication skills.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Adolescents and Young Adults

Hearing loss in adolescents and young adults can be more subtle than in other age groups, but it’s important to be aware of the signs so that treatment can be sought early on. Some common signs of hearing loss in this age group include:

• Having difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• Needing to turn up the volume on the TV or radio excessively
• Having trouble following conversations in a group setting
• Struggling to hear on the phone
• Misunderstanding words in a conversation
• Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
• Avoiding social situations or activities because of difficulty hearing
• Having difficulty in appreciating music that most others enjoy

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Adults

Adults may experience hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises, such as those found in certain occupations or from recreational activities. A lot of signs of hearing loss in adults are quite similar to those of adolescents, however we still enumerate some of them as follows:

• Having trouble hearing on the phone
• Misunderstanding words in a conversation
• Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
• Struggling to hear in noisy environments
• Turning the TV or radio volume up excessively
• Having difficulty following conversations in a group setting
• Avoiding social situations or activities because of difficulty hearing
• Having difficulty in appreciating music that most others enjoy

If you work in a noisy environment or participate in loud activities, it’s a good idea to have your hearing tested regularly to ensure that it’s not being damaged.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Seniors

Hearing loss is more common in older adults and especially people above 60, and some common signs include:

• Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women or children
• Struggling to hear in noisy environments
• Feeling like people are mumbling when they speak
• Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
• Having difficulty following conversations or instructions
• Turning the TV or radio volume up excessively

As you can see, there is a considerable overlap in the signs of hearing loss across various age groups, and yet, there are certain unique points as well. If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss, it’s important to get a hearing test as soon as possible. A hearing aid specialist or audiologist can perform a hearing test to determine the extent of the hearing loss and recommend treatment options, such as hearing aids or other assistive devices. In addition to hearing aids, there are other assistive devices that can help with hearing loss. These include amplified phones, closed captioning for TV and movies, and assistive listening devices for use in noisy environments. Early treatment can help improve communication and quality of life, and there are many options available to help those with hearing loss.