Hearing Loss Causes and Symptoms in Adults and Children

Hearing loss is a widespread public health issue, affecting more than 50 million people in the United States.¹ It is the third most common chronic physical condition among Americans and has been associated with other serious medical issues, including diabetes and heart disease.¹ Approximately 1 in 500 infants are born with some level of hearing loss, while many other children may develop it as they grow.²

For adults, age is a primary cause of hearing loss in those aged 20 to 69. Noise-induced hearing loss is also prevalent, with 18% of people who are exposed to very loud noise at work for five years or more developing speech-frequency hearing loss in both ears.³

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is caused by problems occurring in a part of the auditory pathway connecting sound waves to our brain.⁴

The auditory pathway starts with our ears, which are made of the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. It ends with the auditory nerve sending signals to the brain.⁵

Types of hearing loss

There are four types of hearing loss. Each type affects a different structure of the ear.

The four types of hearing loss include:⁴

• Central hearing loss. A problem with the central auditory system, such as the auditory nerve and its pathway to the brain; caused by stroke, tumor or neurological disorder
• Conductive hearing loss. A problem with the outer and middle ear; usually a blockage caused by ear wax, ear infection, fluid or damage; may be treatable with medication or surgery
• Sensorineural hearing loss. A problem with the inner ear and/or auditory nerve; typically permanent; usually treated with hearing aids or a cochlear implant
• Mixed hearing loss. A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss; typically involves a problem with the outer or middle ear, along with the auditory nerve

Hearing Loss in Children

Some children may be born with hearing loss, either because of genetics or due to complications during pregnancy. Other children may acquire hearing loss after birth.⁶

Common causes

Common causes of acquired hearing loss in children can include:⁶

• Damage to the structure of the ear
• Ear infections
• Ear wax buildup
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
• Excessive noise exposure
• Foreign body getting stuck in the ear
• Head trauma
• Medications that can cause damage to the inner ear
• Meningitis (inflammation around the brain and spinal cord)
• Viral infections (measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.)

Hearing loss symptoms in infants and toddlers

Hearing loss may present differently depending on the type of hearing loss and the age of the child. Common symptoms for infants and toddlers include:⁶

• Delay in developmental milestones
• Does not react to voices or sounds
• Is not startled by loud noises
• Minimal babble or doesn’t try to make new sounds

Hearing loss symptoms in older children

Common symptoms for older children include:⁶

• Delayed speech and language development
• Difficulty expressing themselves orally and/or in writing
• Feeling exhausted at the end of the day
• Frequent requests for conversations to be repeated
• Frustration with trying to communicate with others
• Speech disorders
• Struggling at school with academics, behavior or social skills
• Trouble following or understanding directions
• Turning up the volume on devices or the TV

Hearing Loss in Adults

There are many things that can cause hearing loss in adulthood. Some causes can be prevented, while others, such as age and genetic factors, cannot.⁷

Common causes

Some of the most common causes of hearing loss in adults include:⁷

• Autoimmune disorders
• Certain medications like antibiotics, chemotherapy, diuretics and large amounts of aspirin
• Exposure to very loud noises, such as gunshots, explosions or loud concerts
• Ménière's disease, which is an inner ear problem
• Otosclerosis or middle ear disease
• Physical head injury
• Tumor in the inner ear (acoustic neuroma)

Symptoms

For many adults, symptoms of hearing loss may come on slowly, usually due to age.

Some early warning signs of age-related hearing loss include:⁸

• Difficulty understanding consonants like S, T, K, P, B and F
• Feeling exhausted after talking with people for long periods
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Having to turn up the volume on audio sources, like the radio or TV
• Hearing the voices of women and children is more difficult than hearing lower-range voices
• Other people's voices begin sounding mumbled⁷
• Starting to avoid noisy places
• Trouble hearing conversations in crowded or loud rooms

In addition to behavioral changes and avoidance of social situations, there are also the physical symptoms of hearing loss, which can include:

• Balance issues⁸
• Dizziness⁸
• Feeling a fullness in the ears⁷
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)⁷

Additional Factors to Consider

Depending on the cause of hearing loss, symptoms may develop suddenly or progressively get worse over time, as with hearing loss caused by aging.⁷

For both adults and children, sudden hearing loss may stem from causes like head trauma, infections and certain medications. Symptoms may be able to be reversed by addressing the underlying condition.⁹

Mild, Moderate or Severe Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe. The difference will depend on the cause and the type of hearing loss:⁵

• Mild hearing loss. Have difficulty with softer sounds; normal speech can be understood
• Moderate hearing loss. Have difficulty hearing speech at a normal level; can understand louder sounds
• Severe hearing loss. Unable to hear speech at normal levels; may be able to hear some loud sounds
• Profound hearing loss. Unable to hear any speech; can only hear very loud sounds

Another factor to keep in mind is that signs and symptoms of hearing loss can manifest differently in adults versus children. This is due to differences in communication and cognitive developmental levels.⁶

Early intervention is critical if your child is showing signs of hearing loss. A delay in treatment can prolong speech and language issues, create learning barriers at school and make communication with adults and peers very difficult.⁶

Tips to Help Prevent Hearing Loss

While mild hearing loss is often a natural consequence of aging, there are steps you can take to protect your ears and minimize the significant impact that hearing loss can have on your overall health and well-being.

Here are a few tips for protecting your ears and to help keep your hearing sharp:¹⁰ 

• Avoid loud noises. Excessive noise is a common cause of hearing loss, but it is preventable. Turn down the volume on your devices and wear earplugs when you have to be in a loud environment. Be especially cautious around sounds exceeding 85 decibels (e.g., at concerts, nightclubs or sporting events), which can cause hearing loss.
• Get some exercise. Exercise increases blood flow to the ears, which helps the tiny hair cells in the inner ear stay healthy. Simple exercises like walking, gardening and housework can improve your hearing health.
• Schedule a hearing test. A routine hearing test provides your doctor with a baseline to gauge how your hearing is doing as you age, allowing for early treatment if necessary.
• Take vitamins and supplements. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals — such as iron, magnesium and potassium — is important for your overall health, including your hearing.
• Understand the side effects of your medications. Some medications, including certain antibiotics, aspirin and chemotherapy drugs, are linked to hearing loss.

As you age, it is important to prioritize routine check-ups with your doctor to help catch any health issues in their early stages before they progress into something more serious.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, it's important to seek professional help from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or audiologist. They will do a hearing screening, look in your ears with an otoscope and ask you about your medical history.⁷

If hearing loss is diagnosed, they can help create a treatment plan, which might include medication, surgery or hearing aids.⁷

Children’s hearing is usually screened before leaving the hospital at birth and then at the pediatrician's office during routine checkups.⁶ Many states also mandate that children be screened at school during certain grade levels.

Hearing aids are a big benefit to children with hearing loss and come in a variety of different styles and types. The key is to get treatment right away so they can flourish in school, social settings and communication with those around them.⁶

Hearing health is just as important for adults. Age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, certain medications and medical conditions can all contribute to gradual hearing decline.⁷ Left untreated, adult hearing loss can negatively impact relationships, job performance, mental health and overall quality of life.⁸ Fortunately, today’s hearing aids and assistive technologies offer advanced, discreet solutions for adults of all ages.⁷ Early diagnosis and intervention are key.

The Takeaway on Hearing Loss

The bottom line is that millions of children and adults in the U.S. have some form of hearing loss. Symptoms may come on suddenly or progress over time, depending on what type of hearing loss you have and the severity.

While adults and children may have different signs and symptoms of hearing loss, it is important that you seek professional help right away if you or a loved one is showing difficulty hearing. Treating hearing loss is manageable and can improve your health and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Loss

Do you still have questions? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about hearing loss in children and adults.

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Author Bio

Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.