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Hearing difficulties

If you have a hearing impairment, your hearing will have been affected by a disease, disorder or injury.

Earwax and ear infections

You might find, even if you experience sudden deafness, that you only have a build-up of wax in your ear or an infection, both of which can be treated by your doctor.

• Earwax on NHS Choices Opens new window
• Inner ear infections (otitis media) on NHS Choices Opens new window
• Outer ear infections (otitis externa) on NHS Choices Opens new window
• Find a local GP Opens new window

Hearing loss problems

It could also be a sign that you have a hearing loss problem which may require a hearing aid. If this is the case, you should consult your doctor - even if you are thinking of buying a hearing aid privately.

• Hearing aids
• Communications aids
• Hearing impairment on NHS Choices Opens new window
• Find a local GP Opens new window

Tinnitus

Some people sometimes complain of hearing a ringing sound or even buzzing, humming, whistling, tunes or songs, all of which can be a sign that they have tinnitus. It is not a disease, nor is it life-threatening. It is quite common and can occur at any age. A third of all adults report some tinnitus.

• Tinnitus on NHS Choices Opens new window
• Information on tinnitus from the RNID Opens new window

Deafness

If you are deaf you will have a profound loss of hearing. You can have deafness at birth or it can develop in adulthood. Ninety per cent of deaf children are born to hearing parents.

Loud noise, for example loud music, is the most common cause of deafness that isn't congenital (from birth).

• More about deafness Opens new window

Communicating if you are deaf

British Sign Language is the UK's official sign language. Although there are nine million deaf people in the UK, only 50,000 people use sign language - lip reading is more widespread.

• More about sign language Opens new window
• More about lip reading Opens new window
• Independent living if you are deaf or hearing impaired

Having a hearing test

If you haven't had your hearing tested before and you are finding it difficult to hear conversations in noisy environments, then you should make an appointment to see your doctor. You may be referred for a hearing test either at your local audiology department or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.

Your doctor (or health visitor for babies) will refer you either direct to the audiology department or to a consultant, who then will refer you on to an audiologist. An audiologist may advise you to use a hearing aid and will arrange for one to be supplied, if you feel it would be helpful.

• More information on hearing tests Opens new window
• Hearing aids
• Find a local GP Opens new window

Having prominent ears

Ears are one of the first parts of the body to reach full size. For this reason, protruding ears can be more noticeable in children. The only way to permanently 'pin back' the ears is through ear-reshaping surgery known as pinnaplasty.

• More about ear reshaping Opens new window

Where to get information and advice

There are a range of charities and organisations that offer advice and information for people with hearing impairment or who are deaf, including the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The National Deaf Children's Society and the British Deaf Sports Council. You can find their details in our contacts directory.

• Deaf or hearing impaired people contacts (contacts directory)