Hearing - Headphones in a Person's ear

Hearing Loss and Deafness

If you're experiencing hearing loss, adjustments can make life easier. Learn more about the condition and assistive devices that may be able to help you.
Ear exam
What Causes Hearing Loss?
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Hearing testing
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Causes and Treatment
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Premature baby having BAER hearing test
BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) Hearing Test
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Audiogram depicting speech banana
The Speech Banana in an Audiogram
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Hearing ear auditory ossicles and tympanic membrane
The Role of Auditory Ossicles in Hearing
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Examining ear with otoscope
Why You Might Need Ear Tubes
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Human ear anatomy
How Your Hearing Really Works
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Illustration of the middle ear with otosclerosis
Hearing Loss Related to Otosclerosis
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Young boy with an audiologist
Evaluating for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Author's Audiogram
How to Interpret an Audiogram From a Hearing Test
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
A man cupping his ear to hear clearly
Musical Ear Syndrome Can Affect the Hard of Hearing
Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD
Deaf track and field runners.
The Sound of Deaf Speech Can Vary Widely
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Doctor Testing Boy with Cochlear Implants
Comparison of ABR and OAE Audiology Hearing Tests
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Current Treatments for Tinnitus
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Man with hearing loss
Low-Frequency Hearing Loss: Overview and More
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
A baby boy wearing a hearing aid
Progressive Hearing Loss in Children
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Girl with hearing loss being taught
Genetic Causes of Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Making a hearing test
Hearing Loss Related to Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
woman cleaning outside of ear with cotton swab
How to Safely Remove Ear Wax
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Woman taking pills
Ototoxic Medications That May Cause Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Audiogram Being Marked
Mild Hearing Loss and Its Effects
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Woman cleaning ear with q-tip
The Dangers of Using Q-Tips for Earwax
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Girl on the telephone sitting at desk
Auditory Processing Disorder in Adults
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
A group of friends drinking together
Alcohol Consumption Can Damage Hearing
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Doctor discussing with a female patient.
Effects on Language From Fluctuating Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
woman holding her ear in pain
How Tinnitus Impacts Daily Life
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Cute baby boy with hearing aid
The Connection Between Connexin 26 and Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Woman talking to doctor about hearing aids
High-Frequency Hearing Loss Effects and Causes
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
ear pain, ventilation tubes
Mondini Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Boy with chicken pox
Chickenpox and Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Ear pain in a woman
Causes of Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ears
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
cancer2.jpg
Cancer Treatment and Hearing Loss
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Pediatrician checking ear of boy in examination room
Ear Cleaning Wax Treatment and Removal
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
doctor examining senior patient's ear
Cholesteatoma Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
hearing impairment young woman hearing loss
Ototoxicity: Overview and More
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Woman suffering from jaw pain
TMJ Hearing Loss: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Woman exercising with headphones
The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Exercise
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Mother and toddler exercising at home
Deafness and Balance Problems in Infants and Children
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Sudden hearing loss
Causes of Rapid Hearing Loss and Sudden Deafness
Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD
Young girl with hearing loss
What Causes Hearing Loss and Deafness in Children?
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
A young boy using an abacus with a blurry background
Autism and Auditory Processing Disorder
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Woman signing the word 'Family' in American Sign Language while communicating with her son
Sign Language Christmas Songs and Carols
Fact checked by Lisa Sullivan, MS
Girls playing on a bed.
Deaf and Other Nonverbal Users of Sign Language
By Jamie Berke
Deaf school children using sign language
The History of American Sign Language
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Caucasian father and sons signing at dinner table
American Sign Language: Using Games to Learn ASL?
By Jamie Berke
A woman talking to another woman in sign language
Discussing Sex and Sexuality in American Sign Language
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Teacher showing pre-school girl sign language
Finding American Sign Language Classes
Fact checked by James Lacy
Hands making gesture: one hand held straight on open palm of other
Online Sign Language Dictionary Sites
Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD
American sign language
Challenges of Learning Sign Language
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
woman using sign language to read book to two boys
Using Sign Language and Voice for Total Communication
Fact checked by Dale Brauner
Woman teaching preschooler sign language
ABC Stories Using the Alphabet in Sign Language
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
A teacher showing her student how to talk in sign language
Sign Languages Used in Spanish Speaking Countries
By Jamie Berke
Deaf School children sign to each other in school class room
Sign Language Games and Puzzles
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Parent communicating with sign language
Signing Exact English and Syntax
By Jamie Berke
Couple using sign language
Profile of William Stokoe ASL Researcher
Fact checked by James Lacy
Picture of a man and women communicating with sign language
Pidgin Signed English (PSE) Bridges ASL and English
Fact checked by James Lacy
Friendly police officer gives fist bump to student
Sign Language Crime Vocabulary
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Parent communicating with sign language
American Sign Language Classifiers
Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
Deaf couple signing at dinner table
How to Communicate With Deaf or Hard of Hearing People
Fact checked by James Lacy
American Sign Language Signs for Winter Related Items
Fact checked by James Lacy