As a parent, you spend a lot of time worrying about your child’s well-being. If you’ve noticed behaviors that make you wonder about their hearing, it’s worth learning more before jumping to conclusions.
Let’s explore some common signs of pediatric hearing loss, your child’s treatment options and when scheduling a hearing test might be a good idea.
Common Signs of Pediatric Hearing Loss
A few ASHA-provided signs of hearing loss in infants and toddlers include:
- Not reacting to loud sounds
- Not responding when spoken to
- Not looking for the source of a noise
- Delayed speech development
- Delayed speech understanding
- Infrequent vocalizing (babbling, etc.)
Older children may exhibit additional signs, including:
- Frequently asking for repetition
- Difficulty understanding or following verbal instructions
- Increasing the volume on the TV
- Frustration in social settings
- Withdrawal from social settings
- Academic difficulties (poor grades, trouble reading, etc.)
- Excessive fatigue
Your child may present with one or more of these signs. It’s crucial to pay close attention and record instances where they pop up. If your child goes to school in Hampton, you can ask their teacher to record hearing loss signs as well. A written record will help your child’s hearing specialist steer treatment.
What if My Child Has Hearing Loss?
After diagnosing hearing loss, your specialist will walk you through the available treatment options. Two standard options include:
- Hearing aids. Hearing aids are small devices that sit in or behind the ear canal. They have a microphone that picks up sound, an amplifier that raises its volume and a speaker that brings the amplified noise directly to the ear. Hearing aids are a non-surgical option that you can remove nightly.
- Cochlear implants. A cochlear implant is a small electronic device implanted through surgery. The implant bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to interpret sound signals. Cochlear implants are generally recommended for patients with severe to profound inner ear hearing loss who don’t benefit from hearing aids.
When Should I Contact a Hearing Specialist?
If you’ve noticed one or more of the above signs of hearing loss, schedule a hearing test with Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy as soon as possible. We know how hard it is when you’re worried about your child. Our experts will conduct a thorough hearing test and get you the results as soon as possible.