Adults

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have a hearing loss, and a hearing evaluation with an audiologist is recommended:

• Difficulty hearing in background noise
• Difficulty understanding women’s and children’s voices
• “I hear fine, but it sounds like people mumble!”
• Speech sounds are muffled
• Turning the TV or radio louder than others
• Asking people to repeat; saying “huh” or “what” often
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
• Ears feel stopped up

Children

• Doesn’t respond to name being called
• Doesn’t turn to locate sounds after 6 months of age
• Doesn’t respond when back is turned or from across the room
• Speech and language is delayed - Click here to view normal speech and language milestones

In addition, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, a medical evaluation is recommended:

• Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear
• History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days
• History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days
• Acute or chronic dizziness
• Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days
• Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz
• Visible evidence of significant cerumen (wax) accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal
• Pain or discomfort in the ear