Others may be prodded to seek help by family or friends. Parents or teachers often notice that speech or language is not developing normally in a child. This prompts them to obtain a hearing evaluation. If a person has difficulty hearing, a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear should be consulted. Some kinds of hearing loss are not reversible.
Medical treatment can restore other kinds of hearing loss back to normal.
Prompt medical attention is important if the hearing loss is sudden. This testing determines the type and degree of hearing loss. The results are charted on an audiogram. If a hearing loss is detected, hearing aids or other assistive listening devices can often help. An audiologist can also help a person cope with the hearing loss through education, guidance and counseling.