Hearing loss can take place at any point of a person’s life due to exposure to loud noises, aging, or other causes. For instance, hearing loss may begin in infancy or even before birth. 

However, it is not until individuals reach the age of eight that they are able to tell what sounds they hear and do not hear. Therefore, hearing loss that begins during these crucial years of development may develop into a larger issue.

Yet, hearing loss can also begin in adulthood and is impacted by several factors such as age, exposure to excessive noise, some diseases, and some medications. Therefore some adults live with undiagnosed hearing loss for many years because they do not realise that they are not hearing certain sounds. For example, a person with mild hearing loss may only realize they have a hearing issue if they are in a room with a lot of background noise. 

The level of hearing loss that requires the use of a hearing aid varies depending on the person’s age and degree of hearing loss. For adults, generally a hearing loss of 25 decibels or more is considered to be significant and requires the use of a hearing aid. However, this number can vary depending on the degree of hearing loss and other individual factors.

Infants and young children with hearing loss may also require the use of hearing aids. Many parents incorporate sign language into their child’s daily routine as an additional way to communicate and develop speech skills. But when the child doesn’t respond to verbal cues, it may be time for them to receive a hearing aid 

Hearing aids come in various shapes and sizes, and are typically custom-fitted to the individual’s ears. Hearing aids that are designed for infants and children may be wireless and even incorporate braille into the design. There are several types of hearing aids on the market, and each one offers different benefits for people with hearing loss.