Approximately 1 in every 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss in one or both of their ears. In around half of these children the hearing loss is determined by their genes, even if no other family member is affected.
Early development
Hearing is very important for a young child’s early development because it plays a crucial part in their speech and social skills. Therefore, hearing impairment needs to be identified as soon as possible so that appropriate support can be provided for the child and their family.
Young children who have a significant hearing impairment can be given additional help and support with their education.
Hearing deterioration
As you get older, it is likely that your hearing will begin to deteriorate. This is because as you age, the nerve endings in your inner ear are slowly lost and are not replaced.
Hearing loss in old age is usually a gradual process and begins with difficulty hearing other people clearly, particularly when there is a lot of background noise, such as in pubs or when the television is on.
Adult hearing tests
As hearing deteriorates gradually, at first you may not realise that you have a hearing impairment. Other members of your family may be the first ones to notice that you have a problem.
If you are at all concerned about your hearing, you should ask your GP to arrange for you to have a test. A piece of equipment known as an audiometer will be used to check your hearing. If hearing loss is confirmed, you may need to have other tests to identify the cause.
Your GP will also carry out a physical examination of the outside of your ear. They may refer you to either an audiology department or to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department of your local hospital. In a minority of cases, the specialist will carry out further tests, which may include a scan of your inner ear and hearing nerves.
See Hearing tests – how they are done for more information about how a physical ear examination is performed and the different types of hearing tests that you may have.
Investigating hearing problems
Some types of hearing problems are permanent. These include:
- permanent childhood hearing impairment (PCHI) – hearing problem that a baby is born with
- age-related deafness
- deafness that is caused by damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve, which may be the result of an illness or prolonged exposure to very loud noise
Some types of deafness are temporary, such as problems caused by a build-up of earwax or glue ear (fluid in the ear). Glue ear is very common in children but less common in adults. It usually develops along with a cough or cold and clears up after a few days or weeks. Adults who have persistent glue ear should be referred to a hospital specialist to exclude any serious underlying health conditions.
Once the cause of hearing impairment has been identified, the right treatment and support can be put in place. Therefore, as with babies and young children, it is important that your condition is diagnosed as soon as possible.
Older people with permanent hearing loss may benefit from having a hearing aid. If you have a hearing aid fitted, you will receive advice and support from your local audiology department, including advice about changing the battery, repairs and upgrades.
See the Health A-Z topic about Hearing impairment – treatment for more information and advice about hearing aids.
