Young children can’t identify when they have an ear infection or other auditory health concerns. Learning the top causes of hearing loss in kids helps parents take a proactive approach and identify issues when they arise. Some ear issues are so gradual that older children don’t notice the change in their hearing.

Signs of Temporary Hearing Loss in Kids

Signs of ear infection or temporary hearing loss include any combination of:

• Tugging, pulling, or itching 
• Fluid draining from the outer ear
• Ringing or buzzing in one or both ears
• Balance issues, fever, or insomnia
• Not turning toward sounds
• Non-responsive to loud noises
• Frequently saying “huh” or “what”
• Asking to turn up the volume
• Talking louder than usual

Top 5 Causes of Temporary Hearing Loss in Children

1. Earwax

Earwax creates a natural barrier, minimizing the amount of dirt, dust, and germs that enter the ear canal. The ears naturally manage this wax, but wax can build up and become impacted. This happens more frequently in kids, as their ear canals are narrow. When wax builds up, it temporarily muffles hearing. 

Cotton Swabs Aren’t the Resolution

Don’t use cotton swabs in your ears. Cotton swabs might seem like the obvious choice, but they are a common cause of damage and infection. So, if your child has earwax built up, schedule an appointment with your Pediatrician or Pediatric Audiologist for eardrops or professional removal. 

Using cotton swabs can:

• Introduce bacteria
• Push earwax deeper
• Scratch the ear canal
• Perforate the eardrum

2. Ear Infection

Acute otis media middle ear infections are so common, 5 out of 6 children have at least 1 by the age of 3. Ear infections cause swelling in the middle ear, often trapping fluid behind the eardrum. Ears may seep, and hearing becomes muffled with a middle ear infection. If treated quickly, there is typically no permanent damage. 

Children with allergies may also experience ear inflammation and a clogged or full feeling in one or both ears. 

Why Kids Get Ear Infections

• Their immune systems are still developing.
• Their small eustachian tubes don’t drain as easily.
• When kids don’t blow their nose, fluid builds up.
• Kids stick dirty hands or contaminated objects in their ear.
• Bacteria enter their ears from non-chlorinated water. 

3. Swimmer’s Ear

Contrary to its name, swimmer’s ear doesn’t only affect swimmers. Also referred to as otitis externa, the most common cause of this outer ear infection is when water gets trapped in the ears. Trapped water doesn’t always lead to infection. Infection is more common if the trapped water is non-chlorinated, or if bacteria is already present in the outer ear canal. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and a clogged ear, which muffles hearing. 

Trapped Water Isn’t the Only Cause of Swimmer’s Ear

The factors below can cause or contribute to otitis externa.

• Dirty earbuds

• Dirty hearing aids
• Dirty earplugs 
• High humidity 
• Preexisting scratch or damage
• Removing too much earwax

4. Ear Obstruction

Earwax is the most common ear obstruction, but curious kids stick things in their ears and nostrils. If your child sticks a pebble, small toy, pencil eraser, food, or anything else in their ear, it muffles their hearing and introduces bacteria. 

Don’t remove these items on your own as you may push them further into the ear canal. Instead, schedule a same-day appointment with your Audiologist or Pediatrician. Or visit a walk-in clinic. 

5. Loud Noise Exposure

Loud noise isn’t just a cause of temporary hearing loss in kids, it’s a cause of premature and permanent hearing loss in children. We all experience ringing or buzzing after hearing a loud noise, such as fireworks, or a concert or party with loud music. Although hearing typically returns in a few hours or a couple of days, permanent damage occurs that contributes to hearing loss. 

Modern life is increasingly loud, especially if you live in a city like New York. However, the top cause of loud noise exposure for kids is headphone and earbud use.

How to Encourage Healthy Headphone Use

• Talk to your kids about how and why it’s important to use headphones and earbuds responsibly. 
• Invest in “kid-safe” earbuds that don’t go above 80 decibels or have custom-fit earbuds made.
• Limit headphone use to an hour a day, especially if they aren’t kid-safe.
• Invest in noise-cancelling headphones or custom hearing protection for use in loud environments. 
• Use an app that allows you to track your child’s headphone use and headphone decibels.

Hearing Care for Children in New York and New Jersey

If you live in or around Holmdel, New Jersey or Staten Island, New York and require an Audiologist who provides hearing care for children—schedule an appointment with Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro. 

Dr. Shapiro specializes in pediatrics, patiently identifying auditory health conditions in children of all ages. This includes infants and toddlers who aren’t yet able to communicate their symptoms. Her first step is always ensuring her young patients are comfortable and that they understand what to expect next. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Temporary Hearing Loss in Kids

1. How can I tell if my child’s hearing loss is temporary or permanent?

Temporary hearing loss in kids often results from earwax buildup, infection, or fluid behind the eardrum. Signs like ear tugging, muffled hearing, or saying “what?” repeatedly may point to a temporary issue. Permanent hearing loss is usually more gradual and doesn’t improve with treatment. If your child’s hearing doesn’t return after an infection clears or wax is removed, schedule a pediatric hearing test for a professional evaluation.

2. When should I take my child to the doctor for ear problems?

If your child has pain, drainage, fever, or seems unresponsive to sound, it’s best to call your pediatrician or an audiologist right away. Seek immediate medical attention if you spot blood or pus coming from the ear, or if your child complains of dizziness or severe pain. Early care helps prevent infection-related complications and long-term hearing issues.

3. Can using cotton swabs cause hearing problems in kids?

Yes. Cotton swabs can push earwax further into the canal, leading to impaction, infection, and even eardrum damage. Children’s ear canals are smaller and more sensitive, making them especially vulnerable. Instead of swabs, use doctor-recommended ear drops or schedule a professional ear cleaning.

4. Is it safe for children to wear headphones or earbuds?

Headphones and earbuds are safe when used responsibly. Choose kid-safe models that cap volume at 80 decibels, limit listening time to an hour a day, and encourage noise-cancelling designs instead of turning up the volume. Consistent exposure to loud sounds—even short bursts—can cause permanent hearing damage over time.

5. How can I protect my child’s hearing long-term?

Keep their ears clean and dry, avoid loud environments when possible, and teach healthy listening habits. Regular hearing checkups with a pediatric audiologist can catch minor issues before they become major. If your child swims often or experiences frequent ear infections, custom ear protection or hearing screenings can be especially helpful.