Early identification of hearing loss in newborns is very important. Untreated hearing loss can slow a child's development in significant ways. In adults, hearing loss also can have a dramatic impact on function and wellbeing.

Because of developmental problems, age, or acquired physical problems, some individuals are not able to communicate that they are having discomfort or pain. That's an opportunity for family members and care givers to listen to what behaviors may be telling them about medical conditions.

Behaviors that may be telling you about hearing disorders:

• Infant doesn't babble
• Infant doesn't respond to familiar voices
• Child doesn't talk at same age as other children, or doesn't talk as much
• Person doesn't follow sounds or voices with eyes
• Ignores loud, unexpected noises; doesn't blink or startle
• Sleeps through loud noises, voices
• Turns up TV or radio sound so that they are too loud for others, or no longer listens to music, radio
• Pays no attention when others speak; ignores spoken requests
• Talks too loudly
• Turns head to position one ear closer to sound
• Often asks people to repeat themselves
• Becomes confused during conversations, especially if there is loud background noise or several people speaking
• Difficulty hearing the phone, unwillingness to talk on phone
• Withdraws from social contact
• Often seems disinterested, slow to respond, "out of it"

Other factors that may indicate the presence of a hearing disorder include:

• Friends, family members are concerned about the person's hearing
• Family history of hearing or speaking problems
• Ears ring or buzz
• Voice sounds odd
• Infection of or damage to ear drum, mastoiditis
• Overuses certain medicines, such as aspirin or gentamicin
• Presence of:
  • Down syndrome
  • High blood pressure
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Leukemia
  • Meniere's disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Osteosclerosis
  • Paget's disease
  • Skull malformation

Do you think someone's behavior may be telling you about a hearing disorder? Talk with your doctor or other health care provider. They can work with you to learn whether this is the case.

A Checklist of What Behaviors Tell Us

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