Which of the following is NOT an indicator of hearing loss?

The indication that clear discrimination among early words is not an indicator of hearing loss is accurate. In fact, the ability to discriminate early words suggests that a child has a functional level of hearing, which is essential for language development. Children who can clearly distinguish words are likely engaged in auditory processing, which is an important skill that supports their communication abilities.

The other options, such as failure to respond to sudden, loud sounds, discharge from the ear canal, and pulling at the ears, are all behaviors that could signal potential hearing issues. For instance, failure to respond to loud sounds may suggest that a child is not receiving auditory input effectively, while discharge from the ear can signal an infection or other medical issues that could impact hearing. Similarly, pulling at the ears often indicates discomfort or irritation, which could also be associated with hearing problems. Thus, these behaviors point toward the possibility of hearing loss, making them indicators of concern, whereas clear discrimination among early words suggests healthy hearing.