Symptom Checker

  • When to seek medical advice

  • Seek medical care if your child:

    • Complains of pain or pressure in the ear that lasts longer than a day
    • Has ear pain associated with fever
    • Has discharge of blood or pus from the ear
    • Pulls or scratches at the ears, except as an observed self-soothing habit
    • Doesn't respond normally to sounds
    • Has impaired or decreased speech

    Many common childhood illnesses can cause temporary decreased hearing, about which there's usually no reason for concern. But any persistent hearing problems should be evaluated by your child's doctor right away.

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

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Decreased hearing

Find possible causes of decreased hearing based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

  • Change in air pressure

  • Cold or upper respiratory illness

  • Injury or trauma

  • Loud, sudden noise

  • Bleeding from ear

  • Clear or pus-filled drainage

  • Dizziness

  • Ear pain or discomfort

  • Feeling of fullness in ear

  • Redness or swelling of outer ear

  • Ringing in ear

 

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