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Hearing loss is common, particularly as you get older. See a GP if you have problems with your hearing. It could be caused by something that can be easily treated.
It's not always easy to tell if you're losing your hearing.
Common signs include:
Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.
Hearing loss can affect a child's speech development and progress at school.
Hearing loss can be harder to spot in babies. There is a checklist for how a baby makes and reacts to sound on GOV.UK that can help you notice the signs.
There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss. It may be caused by something treatable or it may be permanent.
Your symptoms may give you an idea what could be causing it. But do not self-diagnose, see a GP for advice.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Gradual hearing loss in both ears | Aging or damage from loud noise over many years |
| Difficulty hearing in 1 ear, earache, a feeling of pressure in your ear, discharge coming out of the ear | Ear infection |
| Difficulty hearing in 1 ear, itchiness, feeling like your ear is blocked | Earwax build-up |
| Sudden hearing loss after an ear infection, a very loud noise or a change in air pressure (for example, from flying) | Perforated eardrum |
| Sudden hearing loss along with dizziness, a spinning sensation (vertigo) or ringing in your ears (tinnitus) | Labyrinthitis or Ménière's disease |
You can also sometimes get a free hearing test at some pharmacies and opticians.
It might not be anything serious, but it's best to get help as it may need to be treated quickly.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Treatment for hearing loss depends on what's causing it.
Sometimes a GP may be able to treat the cause, for example:
If your hearing loss is not caused by something a GP can treat, they may refer you to a hearing specialist for further tests and treatment.
If you have permanent hearing loss, a specialist will often recommend hearing aids. These will not make your hearing perfect, but they make sounds louder and clearer.
Some people may need a hearing implant. These are devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear.
If you have hearing loss, there are things you can do to help you communicate with others and avoid more damage to your hearing.
reduce background noise or move to a quieter area when talking to other people
face people when they're talking to you, so you can see their mouth, facial expressions and gestures
ask people to repeat themselves, speak more slowly or write things down if you need to
wear ear protection when exposed to loud noises
do not listen to music too loudly – the volume should be just high enough for you to hear it comfortably
do not put your fingers or any objects like cotton buds in your ears, even if you think they might be blocked
