Hearing Loss

Many disorders can affect the hearing of children and adults. This section provides information on the causes and effects of hearing loss in both children and adults.

 Self-Test
Take this self-assessment to determine whether you should see an audiologist.

 How Do I Know if I Have a Hearing Loss?
Signs that may indicate you have a hearing loss.

 Impairment, Disorder, Disability
Terms introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980.

 Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur for a number reasons.

 Prevalence and Incidence in Children
How many children have hearing loss according to various sources

 Effects of Hearing Loss on Development
Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning.

 Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
Otitis media (middle ear infections), congenital, and acquired disorders

 Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Adults
Prevalence of loss according to various sources

 Causes of Hearing Loss in Adults
Loss can caused by a number of factors.

 Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears, also pulsing, roaring, wooshing

 Hearing Protection
How to protect your hearing from the effects of noise.

 Noisy Toys
Some toys may damage your child's hearing.

 Noise
Noise is unwanted sound. It has specific acoustic and psychoacoustic parameters.

 Medication Effects on Hearing
Certain medications are ototoxic (can damage hearing).

 Understanding Auditory Processing Disorders in Children
Read an article by Dr. Teri James Bellis on this topic.