Childhood Hearing Loss
Though children can be born with hearing loss, this condition can also develop at any time during childhood. Hearing loss can have considerable developmental consequences for children, including impacting both their speech and language development and social skills.
WHAT CASES HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN?
Genetics or prenatal conditions (these both can lead to an infant being born with hearing loss)
Illness and injury
Exposure to dangerously loud noises
Ototoxicity (hearing loss caused by a reaction to medicine)
Otitis media (a middle ear infection)
WHAT ARE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS?
Children with hearing loss often do not respond normally to sound and begin to show developmental delays. Newborns/infants may not respond to familiar voices and may not reach the developmental milestone of babbling between 4-9 months old. Babies and toddlers may not respond to their own name or repeat sounds and words their caregivers say. You can learn more about signs of hearing loss in infants-toddlers here. When children are older, they may increase the volume on the tv and electronic devices, have delayed or unclear speech, and struggle to follow directions.
HOW IS CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS DIAGNOSED?
It is recommended that all infants have their hearing screened within the first month of their life. Often, hospitals will screen for hearing after a baby is born. Children should also have hearing screenings during their pediatrician check ups throughout their childhoods. If hearing problems are detected during any of these screenings, children will then need an audiology evaluation with a trained audiologist like the doctors at our very own Hearing Health Associates!
HOW IS CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS TREATED?
Similarly to hearing loss in adults, treatment will be based on the individual needs of each child and their audiology evaluation results. Treatments may include hearing aids, surgery, medicine and learning sign language.
HOW CAN CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS BE PREVENTED?
While not all factors that cause hearing loss in children can be prevented, certain measures can decrease a child’s risk of developing this condition:
Healthy pregnancy. This may prevent the development of prenatal conditions that can lead to infant hearing loss.
Regular Vaccines. Making sure a child is up to date on vaccines can lower his/her risk of developing hearing loss from certain illnesses or from needing some of the stronger medicines that can cause ototoxicity.
Avoiding Exposure to Very Loud Noises. Parents should look out for environmental noises that could cause noise-induced hearing loss including loud toys, headphones that are turned up too high and certain settings/situations that are loud.
If you believe your child is experiencing hearing loss, it is important to have their hearing evaluated as soon as possible: contact us to request an appointment. For more tips and information on hearing health for all ages, be sure to check out our other blog posts and follow our Roanoke and Crozet Facebook pages.
