Noticing the signs of hearing loss in children early can make a world of difference. Kids learn language, social skills, and confidence by listening to the people around them. When hearing is reduced, those developmental building blocks can get wobbly. The tricky part is that hearing loss in children isn’t always obvious.

Are long trips to the clinic for a simple fitting adjustment a hassle? Have you ever lost or damaged your cochlear implant audio processor and had to deal with hearing downtime? Do you wish there were a simple way for you to check whether your implant and audio processor are working properly from the comfort of your own home? Enter the HearCare MED-EL app.

Degrees of hearing loss describe how severe hearing loss is, from mild to profound, based on the quietest sounds you can hear during a hearing test. These levels are measured in dB HL (decibels hearing level) and help explain what your results mean in everyday life. Understanding these degrees can make hearing test results easier to interpret and less overwhelming.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Historically, it was also called “nerve hearing loss” or even “nerve deafness,” and it affects how sound signals travel from your ear to your brain.

Muffled hearing in one ear can feel like your ear is blocked, clogged, or “underwater.” When it happens suddenly, it’s natural to worry. In many cases, this one-sided muffled hearing is caused by something temporary and treatable—such as earwax buildup, congestion, fluid, or pressure changes in the ear.

Hearing loss can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure what your options are. The good news is that hearing loss can often be treated or effectively managed with today’s medical care, hearing aids, hearing implants, and communication support — depending on the types and causes of hearing loss. Read on to explore today’s treatment options and learn which approaches are used for different hearing needs.