A hearing loss that is gradual may not be noticed. If a person cannot hear well, a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear should be consulted.
Medical treatment can restore some kinds of hearing loss back to normal.
Other kinds of hearing loss are not reversible. Prompt medical care is important when the hearing loss is sudden. Family or friends may encourage a person to obtain a hearing exam. Parents or teachers often notice that speech or language is not developing normally in a child. A hearing test will determine the type and amount of hearing loss.