Hearing Loss In Children

Does Someone You Know Have A Hearing Loss?

• Baby - Does not respond or startle to loud noises?
• Baby - Does not turn to the source of a sound after 6 months of age?
• Child - Has delayed speech development?
• Child or older - Has difficulty understanding what people say?
• Child or older - Turns the TV or radio volume up too high?

If the answer to any of the above questions is "yes", the individual in question may be experiencing a hearing loss. Please contact our specialist hearing clinic capable of carrying out diagnostic tests.

Why hearing is so important:

Developing Language:

We start to develop languages from the moment we are born.

If a child has a hearing loss the basic development of language will often by delayed.

Many children with a profound hearing loss also can learn to speak if they are diagnosed and treated relatively early.

So the earlier the hearing loss is detected, and the earlier it is treated the better. With today's technology, children can be fitted with hearing aids within the first few months after birth.

Firstly, they need to be fitted with the right kind of hearing aid. Then, when the time is right, the can get special speech and language therapy.

If the hearing loss is so extreme that even very powerful hearing aids don't help, your child can still learn to communicate using cochlear implants.

Signs of hearing difficulties

You should always be aware when your child does not respond appropriately to sounds. Sometimes a lack of response if attributed to inattention, but it is important to determine if inconsistent or no responses actually stem from an inability to hear.

What to watch for in your baby's hearing...

Common signs that children may not be hearing normally.

• Not aware someone who is out of view is talking, especially when distractions are minimal.
• Using "what?" or "Huh?" frequently.
• Intently watching the faces of speaker.
• Sitting close to the television set when the volume is sufficient for other family members.
• Increasing the volume of the TV or stereo to unreasonably loud levels.
• Not responding to voices over the telephone and / or switching ears continually.
• Not reacting to intense, loud sounds.

The single most important signs of possible hearing loss, however, is a lack or delayed development of speech and language.

What to do if you think your child may have a hearing loss :

If you think a hearing loss may be present the first step is to ask your doctor to refer your child to us for an audiological assessment. This assessment will determine whether a hearing impairment exists and to what degree. No child is too young to receive a complete hearing evaluation. Today's technology even allows newborns to be tested for hearing loss.