Know the Signs of Hearing Loss
Signs of hearing loss in children, youth and adults.
Children
Adults
Additional Resources
ASHA Early Detection Poll Results (March/April 2013)
A Web-based survey invitation was fielded to a random sample of 3,884 ASHA-certified audiologists and 3,927 ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on March 19. The survey population was limited to those individuals who indicated that they were employed on a full- or part-time basis as a clinical service provider in the United States. Follow-up reminders were e-mailed to non-respondents on March 26 and April 3. The survey closed at midnight on April 5. The purpose of the survey was to gather professional opinions to help inform a new ASHA public awareness campaign. A total of 1,289 responses were received resulting in an overall response rate of 16.6% (less 54 opt out requests or bounced back messages) (n=585 or 15.2% for audiologists, less 34 opt out requests or bounced back messages, and 704 or 18.0% for SLPs, less 20 opt out requests or bounced back messages).
Data for "all respondents" has been weighted according to the proportion of audiologists and SLPs in the survey population (i.e., n=96,490 of which 8.7% are audiologists and 91.3% are SLPs).
1. Please indicate your primary employment facility. (Check one.)
Primary Employment FacilityAudiologists Only (n=585)SLPs Only (n=701)All Respondents
School16.4%55.2%53.1% (681)
College/university3.4%0.6%0.8% (11)
Hospital28.2%9.7%11.6% (149)
Residential health care facility (skilled nursing facility, etc.)1.2%6.0%5.7% (73)
Nonresidential health care facility (private practice, speech and hearing clinic, physician's office, etc.)42.9%12.8%16.9% (216)
Not employed (retired, seeking work, etc.)1.2%2.9%2.7% (35)
Other6.7%12.8%9.3% (119)[Note: Individuals who selected "not employed" in Question 1 automatically skipped to the end of the survey.]
2. With which of the following age groups do you work? (Check all that apply.)
Age GroupAudiologists Only (n=568)SLPs Only (n=658)All Respondents
0 to 6 months55.1%9.9%13.1% (168)
7 months to 2 years67.1%25.5%27.4% (354)
3 to 5 years79.4%61.2%59.0% (760)
6 to 11 years80.3%59.3%57.3% (739)
12 to 17 years79.4%36.6%37.9% (489)
18 to 64 years68.3%19.8%22.6% (291)
65 to 74 years64.6%17.2%20.1% (259)
75 years and up62.5%17.0%19.8% (255)3. Are your patients aware of the importance of early detection of speech and hearing issues when you first see them?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=576)SLPs Only (n=675)All Respondents
Yes15.3%13.9%14.0% (174)
Somewhat61.3%51.3%52.1% (646)
No15.6%27.4%26.4% (327)
Do not know7.8%7.4%7.4% (92)4. On average, how long do symptoms of hearing loss go undetected in children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=564)SLPs Only (n=668)All Respondents
Less than 6 months24.8%8.8%10.2% (125)
6 months to 1 year39.4%33.4%33.9% (415)
1 to 2 years17.2%19.6%19.4% (238)
More than 2 years7.8%7.8%7.8% (95)
Never detected0%0.4%0.4% (5)
Do not know10.8%29.9%28.3% (346)5. On average, how long do symptoms of speech delay go undetected in children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=555)SLPs Only (n=663)All Respondents
Less than 6 months5.4%3.2%3.4% (41)
6 months to 1 year23.8%26.2%26.0% (316)
1 to 2 years37.3%41.6%41.3% (501)
More than 2 years18.4%19.8%19.6% (239)
Never detected0%0%0% (0)
Do not know15.1%9.2%9.7% (118)6. On average, how long will parents wait before taking action when first observing symptoms of hearing loss in their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=551)SLPs Only (n=654)All Respondents
Less than 6 months32.8%24.8%25.5% (305)
6 months to 1 year41.4%30.1%31.1% (373)
1 to 2 years14.3%12.5%12.7% (152)
More than 2 years3.6%3.5%3.5% (42)
Never take action0%0.8%0.7% (8)
Do not know7.8%28.3%26.5% (318)7. On average, how long will parents wait before taking action when first observing symptoms of speech delay in their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=550)SLPs Only (n=655)All Respondents
Less than 6 months10.0%12.2%12.0% (144)
6 months to 1 year41.1%42.4%42.3% (508)
1 to 2 years24.5%26.6%26.4% (317)
More than 2 years7.8%9.8%9.6% (115)
Never take action0%0.3%0.3% (3)
Do not know16.5%8.7%9.4% (113)8. Are parents of your school-age patients aware that untreated speech and language development problems impede socialization and academic performance?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=545)SLPs Only (n=652)All Respondents
Yes45.0%44.8%44.8% (535)
No41.7%33.1%33.9% (405)
Not applicable; do not work with school-age patients13.4%22.1%21.3% (255)9. In you professional experience, are parents of young children aware of the early warning signs of speech disorders?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=544)SLPs Only (n=650)All Respondents
Yes19.5%25.7%25.2% (300)
No61.9%64.0%63.8% (760)
Do not know18.6%10.3%11.0% (131)10. How informed are parents of autistic children about the benefits of treatment to improve everyday communication for their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=541)SLPs Only (n=652)All Respondents
Very7.4%22.9%21.5% (257)
Somewhat32.3%45.6%44.4% (530)
Not enough30.9%22.2%23.0% (274)
Do not know29.4%9.4%11.1% (132)11. Are parents aware that by treating symptoms of communication disorders early, treatment is often less expensive and takes less time?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=540)SLPs Only (n=651)All Respondents
Yes9.6%19.2%18.4% (219)
No50.6%52.5%52.4% (624)
Do not know39.8%28.3%29.3% (349)12. Do parents of young children realize that when early detection doesn't occur, treatment of their children's communication disorders takes longer and is more expensive?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=538)SLPs Only (n=646)All Respondents
Yes10.6%12.1%11.9% (141)
No53.5%57.7%57.4% (679)
Do not know35.9%30.2%30.7% (363)13. How challenging is it to get information to parents about a school-age child with a potential speech or hearing disorder?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=532)SLPs Only (n=646)All Respondents
Very7.7%5.4%5.6% (66)
Somewhat53.8%51.2%51.5% (608)
Not at all17.7%21.8%21.5% (254)
Do not know20.9%21.5%21.5% (254)14. When alerted to a speech or hearing problem, do parents typically take the next step to get their children treatment?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=527)SLPs Only (n=644)All Respondents
Yes40.4%41.6%41.5% (489)
Sometimes50.5%50.8%50.8% (598)
Rarely2.1%1.2%1.3% (15)
No0%0%0% (0)
Do not know7.0%6.4%6.4% (76)15. Do patients know that early detection is often comparatively simple and inexpensive?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=525)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Yes10.1%11.4%11.3% (132)
No49.0%52.2%51.9% (608)
Do not know41.0%36.4%36.8% (431)16. In your opinion, what is the leading barrier to early detection of communication disorders? (Check one.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=518)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Caregiver/patient inaction21.6%14.4%15.0% (175)
Cultural hurdles8.7%9.8%9.8% (114)
Financial constraints11.8%11.6%11.5% (135)
Insufficient insurance coverage8.5%7.7%7.7% (90)
Lack of awareness41.5%45.5%45.2% (528)
Other7.9%11.1%10.9% (127)17. Are your patients aware that misuse of personal audio technology may cause hearing loss?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=522)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Yes55.9%17.5%20.8% (243)
No28.7%45.9%44.5% (520)
Do not know15.3%36.6%34.8% (407)18. Do your patients view untreated hearing loss among older people as an acceptable part of aging?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=521)SLPs Only (n=639)All Respondents
Yes69.1%50.4%52.0% (607)
No11.5%5.3%5.8% (68)
Do not know19.4%44.3%42.2% (493)19. Who has the greatest impact on whether an elderly patient seeks treatment for hearing loss? (Check one.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=520)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Adult children31.5%28.6%28.8% (337)
Friends4.2%4.2%4.2% (49)
Physicians13.1%13.4%13.4% (157)
Spouse39.4%19.4%21.0% (246)
Others1.3%0.6%0.7% (8)
Do not know10.4%33.8%31.8% (372)20. In the past year have you seen more patients for issues related to traumatic brain injury than:
ResponseAudiologists Only (n>498)SLPs Only (n>601)All Respondents
1 year ago?
Yes12.2%13.9%13.8% (159)
No37.9%27.2%28.1% (324)
NA; do not serve this population49.9%58.9%58.1% (671)
3 years ago?
Yes14.4%13.2%13.3% (148)
No35.3%27.1%27.8% (308)
NA; do not serve this population50.3%59.7%58.9% (652)
5 years ago?
Yes15.5%13.3%13.5% (148)
No33.3%25.6%26.3% (289)
NA; do not serve this population51.2%61.1%60.2% (662)21. Do parents of young patients who have suffered concussions report that their children's academic performance is suffering?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=512)SLPs Only (n=637)All Respondents
Yes14.3%17.0%16.7% (195)
No24.2%20.3%20.6% (239)
NA; do not serve this population61.5%62.8%62.7% (729)22. What is the source of the injury? (Check all that apply.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=74)SLPs Only (n=109)All Respondents
Football47.3%30.3%4.8% (62)
Other youth sports56.8%46.8%7.2% (93)
Military service12.2%3.7%0.7% (8)
Auto accidents56.8%48.6%7.5% (97)
Gun violence6.8%6.4%1.0% (13
Other27.0%36.7%5.5% (71)
Signs of hearing loss in children, youth and adults.
Children
- Lack of attention to sounds (birth-1 year)
- Does not respond when you call his/her name (7 months-1 year)
- Does not follow simple directions (1-2 years)
- Shows delays in speech and language development (birth-3 years)
- Pulls or scratches at his/her ears
- Difficulty achieving academically, especially in reading and math
- Socially isolated and unhappy in school
- Persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise (regular and constant listening to electronics at high volumes)
Adults
- Inattentiveness
- Buzzing or ringing in their ears
- Failure to respond to spoken words
- Persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise (regular and constant listening to electronics at high volumes)
- Muffled hearing
- Constant frustration hearing speech and other sounds
- Avoids conversation
- Social isolation
- Depression
Additional Resources
ASHA Early Detection Poll Results (March/April 2013)
A Web-based survey invitation was fielded to a random sample of 3,884 ASHA-certified audiologists and 3,927 ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on March 19. The survey population was limited to those individuals who indicated that they were employed on a full- or part-time basis as a clinical service provider in the United States. Follow-up reminders were e-mailed to non-respondents on March 26 and April 3. The survey closed at midnight on April 5. The purpose of the survey was to gather professional opinions to help inform a new ASHA public awareness campaign. A total of 1,289 responses were received resulting in an overall response rate of 16.6% (less 54 opt out requests or bounced back messages) (n=585 or 15.2% for audiologists, less 34 opt out requests or bounced back messages, and 704 or 18.0% for SLPs, less 20 opt out requests or bounced back messages).
Data for "all respondents" has been weighted according to the proportion of audiologists and SLPs in the survey population (i.e., n=96,490 of which 8.7% are audiologists and 91.3% are SLPs).
1. Please indicate your primary employment facility. (Check one.)
Primary Employment FacilityAudiologists Only (n=585)SLPs Only (n=701)All Respondents
School16.4%55.2%53.1% (681)
College/university3.4%0.6%0.8% (11)
Hospital28.2%9.7%11.6% (149)
Residential health care facility (skilled nursing facility, etc.)1.2%6.0%5.7% (73)
Nonresidential health care facility (private practice, speech and hearing clinic, physician's office, etc.)42.9%12.8%16.9% (216)
Not employed (retired, seeking work, etc.)1.2%2.9%2.7% (35)
Other6.7%12.8%9.3% (119)[Note: Individuals who selected "not employed" in Question 1 automatically skipped to the end of the survey.]
2. With which of the following age groups do you work? (Check all that apply.)
Age GroupAudiologists Only (n=568)SLPs Only (n=658)All Respondents
0 to 6 months55.1%9.9%13.1% (168)
7 months to 2 years67.1%25.5%27.4% (354)
3 to 5 years79.4%61.2%59.0% (760)
6 to 11 years80.3%59.3%57.3% (739)
12 to 17 years79.4%36.6%37.9% (489)
18 to 64 years68.3%19.8%22.6% (291)
65 to 74 years64.6%17.2%20.1% (259)
75 years and up62.5%17.0%19.8% (255)3. Are your patients aware of the importance of early detection of speech and hearing issues when you first see them?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=576)SLPs Only (n=675)All Respondents
Yes15.3%13.9%14.0% (174)
Somewhat61.3%51.3%52.1% (646)
No15.6%27.4%26.4% (327)
Do not know7.8%7.4%7.4% (92)4. On average, how long do symptoms of hearing loss go undetected in children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=564)SLPs Only (n=668)All Respondents
Less than 6 months24.8%8.8%10.2% (125)
6 months to 1 year39.4%33.4%33.9% (415)
1 to 2 years17.2%19.6%19.4% (238)
More than 2 years7.8%7.8%7.8% (95)
Never detected0%0.4%0.4% (5)
Do not know10.8%29.9%28.3% (346)5. On average, how long do symptoms of speech delay go undetected in children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=555)SLPs Only (n=663)All Respondents
Less than 6 months5.4%3.2%3.4% (41)
6 months to 1 year23.8%26.2%26.0% (316)
1 to 2 years37.3%41.6%41.3% (501)
More than 2 years18.4%19.8%19.6% (239)
Never detected0%0%0% (0)
Do not know15.1%9.2%9.7% (118)6. On average, how long will parents wait before taking action when first observing symptoms of hearing loss in their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=551)SLPs Only (n=654)All Respondents
Less than 6 months32.8%24.8%25.5% (305)
6 months to 1 year41.4%30.1%31.1% (373)
1 to 2 years14.3%12.5%12.7% (152)
More than 2 years3.6%3.5%3.5% (42)
Never take action0%0.8%0.7% (8)
Do not know7.8%28.3%26.5% (318)7. On average, how long will parents wait before taking action when first observing symptoms of speech delay in their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=550)SLPs Only (n=655)All Respondents
Less than 6 months10.0%12.2%12.0% (144)
6 months to 1 year41.1%42.4%42.3% (508)
1 to 2 years24.5%26.6%26.4% (317)
More than 2 years7.8%9.8%9.6% (115)
Never take action0%0.3%0.3% (3)
Do not know16.5%8.7%9.4% (113)8. Are parents of your school-age patients aware that untreated speech and language development problems impede socialization and academic performance?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=545)SLPs Only (n=652)All Respondents
Yes45.0%44.8%44.8% (535)
No41.7%33.1%33.9% (405)
Not applicable; do not work with school-age patients13.4%22.1%21.3% (255)9. In you professional experience, are parents of young children aware of the early warning signs of speech disorders?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=544)SLPs Only (n=650)All Respondents
Yes19.5%25.7%25.2% (300)
No61.9%64.0%63.8% (760)
Do not know18.6%10.3%11.0% (131)10. How informed are parents of autistic children about the benefits of treatment to improve everyday communication for their children?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=541)SLPs Only (n=652)All Respondents
Very7.4%22.9%21.5% (257)
Somewhat32.3%45.6%44.4% (530)
Not enough30.9%22.2%23.0% (274)
Do not know29.4%9.4%11.1% (132)11. Are parents aware that by treating symptoms of communication disorders early, treatment is often less expensive and takes less time?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=540)SLPs Only (n=651)All Respondents
Yes9.6%19.2%18.4% (219)
No50.6%52.5%52.4% (624)
Do not know39.8%28.3%29.3% (349)12. Do parents of young children realize that when early detection doesn't occur, treatment of their children's communication disorders takes longer and is more expensive?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=538)SLPs Only (n=646)All Respondents
Yes10.6%12.1%11.9% (141)
No53.5%57.7%57.4% (679)
Do not know35.9%30.2%30.7% (363)13. How challenging is it to get information to parents about a school-age child with a potential speech or hearing disorder?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=532)SLPs Only (n=646)All Respondents
Very7.7%5.4%5.6% (66)
Somewhat53.8%51.2%51.5% (608)
Not at all17.7%21.8%21.5% (254)
Do not know20.9%21.5%21.5% (254)14. When alerted to a speech or hearing problem, do parents typically take the next step to get their children treatment?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=527)SLPs Only (n=644)All Respondents
Yes40.4%41.6%41.5% (489)
Sometimes50.5%50.8%50.8% (598)
Rarely2.1%1.2%1.3% (15)
No0%0%0% (0)
Do not know7.0%6.4%6.4% (76)15. Do patients know that early detection is often comparatively simple and inexpensive?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=525)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Yes10.1%11.4%11.3% (132)
No49.0%52.2%51.9% (608)
Do not know41.0%36.4%36.8% (431)16. In your opinion, what is the leading barrier to early detection of communication disorders? (Check one.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=518)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Caregiver/patient inaction21.6%14.4%15.0% (175)
Cultural hurdles8.7%9.8%9.8% (114)
Financial constraints11.8%11.6%11.5% (135)
Insufficient insurance coverage8.5%7.7%7.7% (90)
Lack of awareness41.5%45.5%45.2% (528)
Other7.9%11.1%10.9% (127)17. Are your patients aware that misuse of personal audio technology may cause hearing loss?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=522)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Yes55.9%17.5%20.8% (243)
No28.7%45.9%44.5% (520)
Do not know15.3%36.6%34.8% (407)18. Do your patients view untreated hearing loss among older people as an acceptable part of aging?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=521)SLPs Only (n=639)All Respondents
Yes69.1%50.4%52.0% (607)
No11.5%5.3%5.8% (68)
Do not know19.4%44.3%42.2% (493)19. Who has the greatest impact on whether an elderly patient seeks treatment for hearing loss? (Check one.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=520)SLPs Only (n=640)All Respondents
Adult children31.5%28.6%28.8% (337)
Friends4.2%4.2%4.2% (49)
Physicians13.1%13.4%13.4% (157)
Spouse39.4%19.4%21.0% (246)
Others1.3%0.6%0.7% (8)
Do not know10.4%33.8%31.8% (372)20. In the past year have you seen more patients for issues related to traumatic brain injury than:
ResponseAudiologists Only (n>498)SLPs Only (n>601)All Respondents
1 year ago?
Yes12.2%13.9%13.8% (159)
No37.9%27.2%28.1% (324)
NA; do not serve this population49.9%58.9%58.1% (671)
3 years ago?
Yes14.4%13.2%13.3% (148)
No35.3%27.1%27.8% (308)
NA; do not serve this population50.3%59.7%58.9% (652)
5 years ago?
Yes15.5%13.3%13.5% (148)
No33.3%25.6%26.3% (289)
NA; do not serve this population51.2%61.1%60.2% (662)21. Do parents of young patients who have suffered concussions report that their children's academic performance is suffering?
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=512)SLPs Only (n=637)All Respondents
Yes14.3%17.0%16.7% (195)
No24.2%20.3%20.6% (239)
NA; do not serve this population61.5%62.8%62.7% (729)22. What is the source of the injury? (Check all that apply.)
ResponseAudiologists Only (n=74)SLPs Only (n=109)All Respondents
Football47.3%30.3%4.8% (62)
Other youth sports56.8%46.8%7.2% (93)
Military service12.2%3.7%0.7% (8)
Auto accidents56.8%48.6%7.5% (97)
Gun violence6.8%6.4%1.0% (13
Other27.0%36.7%5.5% (71)
