Hearing impairments
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Hearing impairments are problems that occur within the hearing pathway, but it can also stem from a disturbance in the auditory nerve to the brain.
Key points:
- Up to 400 children are born each year in Australia with significant hearing impairment, according to the State Government of Victoria
- Symptoms of hearing problems in children include having delayed speech and language development
- Early intervention for children with hearing problems is important to ensure they learn different ways to communicate with others
Hearing impairments that happen at birth are called ‘congenital’ hearing impairments and ‘acquired’ hearing impairments develop throughout the course of a lifetime. Hearing impairments can occur in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).
Up to 400 children are born each year with significant hearing impairment in Australia, according to the State Government of Victoria, while one in three adults aged 55 years and over is impacted by hearing loss.
Symptoms in children with hearing problems may include:
- not being startled by loud or sudden noises;
- having abnormal speech;
- experiencing learning difficulties; and
- having delayed language development.
If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, visit your local pediatrician as soon as possible.
Loud noises contribute to around 37 percent of hearing impairments, as per information available on the Know Your Noise website. Other causes include blockage, accident, illness, chemical abuse or damage to the ear, cochlear or hearing nerve.
Symptoms of hearing loss in adults include:
- muffling of speech and other sounds;
- difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd of people;
- frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly;
- needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio;
- withdrawal from conversations;
- avoidance of social interaction; and
- ringing in ears.
A conductive hearing impairment is when outside sounds have trouble getting to or through the inside of the ear. It is usually caused by middle ear infections and is temporary.
A sensorineural hearing impairment is when the nerves in charge of receiving and interpreting sound don’t work properly. This type of hearing impairment can be mild, moderate, severe or profound and can worsen over time.
People with a hearing impairment can get an amplification or assistive listening device. These devices include hearing aids, bone conduction implants, cochlear implants and personal frequency modulation systems.
Early intervention has shown positive outcomes in children and people of all ages learn to communicate with others in different ways when their hearing is impacted. This may include using Auslan, also known as Australian Sign Language.
Speak to your doctor or audiologist if you suspect you or your child may be experiencing symptoms of hearing loss.
Do you live with a hearing impairment or hearing loss?
Let the team at Disability Support Guide know on social media.
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Related content:
What is Hearing Augmentation and where is it used?
How can I find an interpreter?
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