Unilateral hearing loss means that one ear hears normally and the other ear has a hearing loss, ranging from very slight to profound. It can occur in both children and adults.
It can be caused by…
- Genetics or heredity
- An abnormality of the outer, middle or inner ear
- Certain syndromes
- Diseases or infections
- Exposure to loud noise
- Traumatic brain injury (e.g. blow to the head)
Signs and symptoms
- Easily distracted
- Frequent repetition
- Increasing TV volume
- Being very tired at the end of the day
- Difficulty localizing sounds (not knowing where in the environment sounds are coming from)
- Difficulty understanding speech in noise
Unilateral hearing loss in children
Unilateral hearing loss is thought to affect around 1 in every 1,000 children born. Unilateral hearing loss can be difficult to detect, since hearing is normal in one ear. These children are at greater risk of developing learning and/or language development difficulties.
Tips for communicating with a person with unilateral hearing loss
- Speak face-to-face and avoid placing yourself on the side of the hearing-impaired ear.
- Grab the person’s attention before you start talking.
- Reduce background noise (e.g. turn off the TV, music, etc.)
- Speak one at a time if you’re in a group.
If in doubt, which professional should I consult?
Consult an audiologist to evaluate your (or your child’s) hearing. The audiologist will be able to guide you towards possible solutions that are specific to you. A consultation with an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist will also be necessary to determine the cause and/or apply treatment in certain cases.
*Please note that if hearing loss occurs suddenly, it is strongly recommended that you consult an ENT doctor directly as soon as possible.
The above information is taken from the ASHA website
(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
