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Ishita Roy

World Hearing Day: Why Ignoring Hearing Loss Can Affect a Child’s Future And an Adult’s Brain

<span>Hearing</span> is one of the most vital yet overlooked senses—and its impact extends far beyond the ears. It shapes how a child learns to speak, how a student performs in school, how adults stay socially connected, and even how the brain ages.

As Dr NVK Mohan, ENT and Cochlear Implant Surgeon at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, explains, “Hearing is one of the most vital yet overlooked senses, and its impact extends far beyond the ears.”

This <span>World Hearing Day</span>, the focus is clear: ignoring <span>hearing loss</span> doesn’t just affect sound—it affects development, confidence, learning, and long-term brain health.

Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:

<ul><li>The outer ear</li><li>The middle ear</li><li>The inner ear</li><li>The hearing (acoustic) nerve</li><li>The auditory system in the brain</li></ul>

When sound cannot travel properly through these structures—or when the brain cannot process sound clearly—hearing becomes impaired. It may be partial or complete, temporary or permanent, and can occur at any stage of life, from before birth to adulthood.

<h2>In Children: The Impact Goes Beyond the Ears</h2>

In children, hearing plays a central role in speech and language development. Even mild hearing loss can cause a child to miss critical sounds needed to build vocabulary and clear speech.

Dr Mohan notes, “In children, undetected hearing loss can interfere with speech development, learning ability, and social interaction, often affecting confidence and academic performance well into adulthood.”

Many parents assume that if a child responds to loud sounds, their hearing must be normal. But hearing is more complex than that.

“Healthy hearing requires the ability to perceive sounds across all frequencies, especially those essential for speech and language development,” he explains. “Delayed identification can mean missed developmental milestones that are difficult to recover later.”

Even if a baby has previously passed a hearing screening, parents should continue to look for warning signs:

<ul><li>Does not startle at loud noises</li><li>Does not turn to the source of a sound after 6 months of age</li><li>Does not say single words like “mama” or “dada” by 1 year</li><li>Turns head when seeing you but not when you call their name</li><li>Seems to hear some sounds but not others</li></ul>

What may look like inattention can sometimes be partial or complete hearing loss.

<h2>Signs of Hearing Loss in Children</h2>

<ul><li>Delayed speech</li><li>Unclear speech</li><li>Difficulty following directions</li><li>Frequently saying “Huh?”</li><li>Turning the TV or radio volume up too high</li></ul>

Babies and children are expected to reach developmental milestones in how they play, learn, communicate, and behave. A delay in these areas could indicate hearing loss or another developmental concern—and should prompt a hearing evaluation.

Hearing loss can occur at any time during life.

About 1 in 2 cases of hearing loss in babies are due to genetic factors. Some babies may have family members with hearing loss. Around 1 in 3 babies with genetic hearing loss have a syndrome, meaning they have additional conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.

<ul><li>Maternal infections during pregnancy</li><li>Complications after birth</li><li>Spending 5 days or more in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)</li><li>Severe jaundice requiring blood transfusion</li><li>Structural differences in the head, face, or ears</li><li>Neurological disorders</li><li>Meningitis</li><li>Severe head injuries requiring hospitalization</li></ul>

Recognizing these risks allows for closer monitoring and earlier diagnosis.

<h2>In Adults: When Hearing Loss Affects the Brain</h2>

The consequences of untreated hearing loss do not stop in childhood. In adults and older individuals, the risks shift from speech delays to brain health.

Dr Mohan highlights, “In adults and the elderly, untreated hearing loss is increasingly being linked to social withdrawal, memory problems, and cognitive decline.”

When the brain does not receive clear sound input, it must work harder to interpret speech.

“When the brain is deprived of clear sound input, it has to work harder to interpret speech, diverting cognitive resources away from memory and higher mental functions,” he explains. “Over time, this reduced auditory stimulation and social disengagement can increase the risk of accelerated cognitive ageing.”

In simple terms, when hearing decreases, conversations become exhausting. People may begin to withdraw socially. The brain receives less stimulation. Over time, this combination can affect cognitive resilience.

Hearing health, therefore, is closely linked to brain health.

While not all hearing loss can be prevented, certain measures reduce risk:

<ul><li>Maintain a healthy pregnancy</li><li>Ensure children receive recommended vaccinations</li><li>Protect children from high noise levels</li><li>Seek prompt treatment for ear infections</li></ul>

Noise-induced hearing loss, in particular, is preventable with awareness and protection.

<h2>Screening and Early Diagnosis: The Most Important Step</h2>

The most important message, experts say, is that hearing loss is both detectable and manageable—especially when addressed early.

“Hearing screening is easy and not painful. Babies are often asleep during the test, and it usually takes only a few minutes,” Dr Mohan says.

<ul><li>All babies should undergo hearing screening by 1 month of age.</li><li>If a baby does not pass, a full hearing test should ideally be completed by 3 months.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Hearing should be tested before school entry.</li><li>Testing should also be done whenever there are concerns about speech delay, learning difficulties, or recurrent ear infections.</li><li>Routine hearing checks are equally important for adults, particularly as they age.</li></ul>

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Hearing is one of the most vital yet overlooked senses—and its impact extends far beyond the ears. It shapes how a child learns to speak, how a student performs in school, how adults stay socially connected, and even how the brain ages.As Dr NVK Mohan, ENT and Cochlear Implant Surgeon at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI, explains, “Hearing is one of the most vital yet overlooked senses, and its impact extends far beyond the ears.”This World Hearing Day, the focus is clear: ignoring hearing loss doesn’t just affect sound—it affects development, confidence, learning, and long-term brain health.What Is Hearing Loss?Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:The outer earThe middle earThe inner earThe hearing (acoustic) nerveThe auditory system in the brainWhen sound cannot travel properly through these structures—or when the brain cannot process sound clearly—hearing becomes impaired. It may be partial or complete, temporary or permanent, and can occur at any stage of life, from before birth to adulthood.In Children: The Impact Goes Beyond the EarsIn children, hearing plays a central role in speech and language development. Even mild hearing loss can cause a child to miss critical sounds needed to build vocabulary and clear speech.Dr Mohan notes, “In children, undetected hearing loss can interfere with speech development, learning ability, and social interaction, often affecting confidence and academic performance well into adulthood.”Many parents assume that if a child responds to loud sounds, their hearing must be normal. But hearing is more complex than that.“Healthy hearing requires the ability to perceive sounds across all frequencies, especially those essential for speech and language development,” he explains. “Delayed identification can mean missed developmental milestones that are difficult to recover later.”Signs of Hearing Loss in BabiesEven if a baby has previously passed a hearing screening, parents should continue to look for warning signs:Does not startle at loud noisesDoes not turn to the source of a sound after 6 months of ageDoes not say single words like “mama” or “dada” by 1 yearTurns head when seeing you but not when you call their nameSeems to hear some sounds but not othersWhat may look like inattention can sometimes be partial or complete hearing loss.Signs of Hearing Loss in ChildrenAs children grow, signs may include:Delayed speechUnclear speechDifficulty following directionsFrequently saying “Huh?”Turning the TV or radio volume up too highBabies and children are expected to reach developmental milestones in how they play, learn, communicate, and behave. A delay in these areas could indicate hearing loss or another developmental concern—and should prompt a hearing evaluation.What Causes Hearing Loss?Hearing loss can occur at any time during life.Genetic CausesAbout 1 in 2 cases of hearing loss in babies are due to genetic factors. Some babies may have family members with hearing loss. Around 1 in 3 babies with genetic hearing loss have a syndrome, meaning they have additional conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.Other Risk FactorsAround 1 in 4 cases are linked to:Maternal infections during pregnancyComplications after birthSpending 5 days or more in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)Severe jaundice requiring blood transfusionStructural differences in the head, face, or earsNeurological disordersMeningitisSevere head injuries requiring hospitalizationRecognizing these risks allows for closer monitoring and earlier diagnosis.In Adults: When Hearing Loss Affects the BrainThe consequences of untreated hearing loss do not stop in childhood. In adults and older individuals, the risks shift from speech delays to brain health.Dr Mohan highlights, “In adults and the elderly, untreated hearing loss is increasingly being linked to social withdrawal, memory problems, and cognitive decline.”When the brain does not receive clear sound input, it must work harder to interpret speech.“When the brain is deprived of clear sound input, it has to work harder to interpret speech, diverting cognitive resources away from memory and higher mental functions,” he explains. “Over time, this reduced auditory stimulation and social disengagement can increase the risk of accelerated cognitive ageing.”In simple terms, when hearing decreases, conversations become exhausting. People may begin to withdraw socially. The brain receives less stimulation. Over time, this combination can affect cognitive resilience.Hearing health, therefore, is closely linked to brain health.Prevention: What Can Be Done?While not all hearing loss can be prevented, certain measures reduce risk:Maintain a healthy pregnancyEnsure children receive recommended vaccinationsProtect children from high noise levelsSeek prompt treatment for ear infectionsNoise-induced hearing loss, in particular, is preventable with awareness and protection.Screening and Early Diagnosis: The Most Important StepThe most important message, experts say, is that hearing loss is both detectable and manageable—especially when addressed early.“Hearing screening is easy and not painful. Babies are often asleep during the test, and it usually takes only a few minutes,” Dr Mohan says.For BabiesAll babies should undergo hearing screening by 1 month of age.If a baby does not pass, a full hearing test should ideally be completed by 3 months.For ChildrenHearing should be tested before school entry.Testing should also be done whenever there are concerns about speech delay, learning difficulties, or recurrent ear infections.Routine hearing checks are equally important for adults, particularly as they age.

world hearing day: why ignoring hearing loss can affect a child’s future and an adult’s brain

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