When understanding conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), most people associate it with a behavioral and mental condition. After all, people with ADHD often struggle with psychiatric-related situations such as the inability to keep one’s attention on a single task, struggling to notice minor details, difficulty listening, and more.
While the symptoms are mostly behavioral, ADHD can also mimic other disorders that most overlook due to the lack of obvious connection. A crucial example of mistaking ADHD for another disorder includes hearing loss, which surprisingly has similarities with tell-tale signs of hearing loss.
Hearing Loss and ADHD: Why Do People Confuse the Symptoms?
Many children who struggle with hearing loss may be misunderstood, particularly when the hearing disorder isn’t as prominent. Children may have hearing problems without realizing it, which means they might miss most of what people are saying.
When this happens, and they don’t communicate their difficulties in keeping up with conversations, the hearing loss symptoms can lead to outcomes that can be mistaken as ADHD symptoms, such as the following:
- Increasingly suffering academic performance;
- Struggling to stay attentive when being talked to;
- Failing to respond promptly and properly when spoken to;
- Developing negative behavior and getting angry bursts due to frustration;
- Low self-esteem;
- Difficulty participating in social activities;
All the scenarios mentioned above can happen due to ADHD; that’s why many parents don’t immediately suspect hearing loss as a possible reason for their child’s problems. In that regard, what are the symptoms you should watch out for when differentiating ADHD from hearing loss?
Signs of Hearing Loss in Young Children
- Inappropriate responses to questions
- Trouble following directions
- Speech problems
Signs of Hearing Loss in Young Adults
- Turning up the television to an excessive volume
- Saying “what” frequently
- Only responding during eye contact
- Complaining of hearing loss
- Withdrawing socially
Spotting the red flags that indicate hearing loss as early as possible is critical to your child’s development, so don’t hesitate to consult a hearing healthcare professional to confirm your suspicions before it’s too late.
The Bottom Line: How ADHD Impacts Hearing Impairment and Vice-Versa
Understanding hearing loss and its symptoms can help you identify the early signs of hearing problems. While there is no guarantee that you can restore hearing loss to its original state, expanding your knowledge about the condition can help you seek the proper treatment immediately and receive the best-quality care.
You won’t have to deal with the risk of confusing other conditions like ADHD with your loved one’s possible hearing loss, which can save you from spending on unnecessary medication. To that end, learning to identify hearing loss symptoms ensure you can take the best course of action for your child.
Are You Looking for the Best Hearing Clinic in Lexington, MA?
When you’re dealing with hearing loss, it’s important to consult a hearing specialist in Massachusetts so you can reach a proper diagnosis and get the best treatment for your condition.
Hear More Associates cares for your hearing health, so get in touch with our audiological experts and see what we can do to enhance your quality of life no matter what hearing impairment you have. Take our free hearing test today!