This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Hearing loss ranges from mild difficulty following conversation to profound deafness, and can come from wax blockage, infections, noise damage or ageing. In children, even mild loss delays speech and learning, so early testing matters. Many causes are treatable, and hearing aids transform the rest.
Symptoms
Asking people to repeat themselves
Turning the TV or radio louder than others like
Difficulty following conversation in noise
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
A blocked sensation in the ear
A child not startling, responding to name or speaking on time
Causes & risk factors
Wax blockage
Untreated or repeated ear infections
Loud noise — generators, music, industrial work
Ageing
Some infections and medicines damaging the inner ear
Birth-related causes in children
Treatment & self-care
An ENT examination and hearing test identify the cause: wax is safely removed in clinic, infections are treated, and lasting loss is helped enormously with properly fitted hearing aids. Children with suspected loss need urgent testing — speech development depends on it. Protect remaining hearing by limiting noise and never inserting objects into the ear.
See a doctor urgently if
Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears — within 48 hours
Hearing loss with ear pain, discharge or dizziness
A child with delayed speech or poor response to sound
Gradual loss now affecting daily conversation
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Hearing Loss?
Early signs often include asking people to repeat themselves, turning the tv or radio louder than others like, difficulty following conversation in noise. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Hearing Loss be treated?
An ENT examination and hearing test identify the cause: wax is safely removed in clinic, infections are treated, and lasting loss is helped enormously with properly fitted hearing aids. Children with suspected loss need urgent testing — speech development depends on it. Protect remaining hearing by limiting noise and never inserting objects into the ear.
When should I see a doctor about Hearing Loss?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: sudden hearing loss in one or both ears — within 48 hours; hearing loss with ear pain, discharge or dizziness; a child with delayed speech or poor response to sound; gradual loss now affecting daily conversation.