Communication disorders are wide ranging and can affect everything from comprehension to speech and language development. Sometimes their causes are unknown, sometimes they’re neurological, but sometimes they’re due to hearing loss.
According to ASHA, “a communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts of verbal…systems”. A hearing disorder – often understood as a type of communication disorder – may “limit the development, comprehension, production and/or maintenance of speech and language.”
It’s important to be able to identify the signs of hearing loss, especially in regards to children. If hearing loss is caught early, more effective intervention is possible. If caught early enough, children with hearing loss can “develop speech and language skills on schedule with their peers.”
For adults, unaddressed onset hearing loss can result in a decline in cognitive skills. Such a decline can result in speech comprehension problems.
No matter what your age, however, prompt attention is always recommended. A lot of hearing related communication disorders are very manageable.