Hearing loss may come on suddenly, or it may progress slowly over time. The severity of hearing loss varies greatly. Some children may be able to detect certain sounds, but may have trouble hearing others. Other children may have a complete loss of hearing known as deafness.

In the majority of cases, impairment occurs in both ears, but it sometimes occurs in just one ear. In addition, the severity of damage may not be the same in each ear.

Parents are urged to watch for certain symptoms that might indicate that a child has hearing loss. For example, infants younger than 6 months old may have hearing loss if they do not startle or turn their heads in reaction to a loud noise, if they are not responsive to a parent’s voice, or if they simply do not turn toward sounds.

Infants older than 6 months may have a hearing problem if they do not turn and react to the sound of their name being called, or if they have a delay in speech or language development. Parents should also be on guard for a potential hearing loss in children who have frequent ear infections or draining of the ears. Other signs of hearing loss in children older than 6 months of age include:

• Academic problems or appearance of daydreaming at school
  
• Balance difficulties, such as trouble holding head steady or walking unsupported
  
• Lack of attentiveness in daycare or at school
  
• Tendency not to follow directions
  
• Tendency to hear some sounds, but not others
  
• Withdrawal from play with other children

Children who are exposed to loud noise for a period of time may experience a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears known as tinnitus. This is a warning sign that noise levels are high enough to potentially damage a child’s hearing.