Can Children Suffer from Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss has long been only associated with the adult population. Turns out, hearing loss can actually affect people of all ages.
Children are much more affected by hearing loss as any delay in treatment can lead to problems with their learning and development.
Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
There are two main causes of hearing loss in children.
- Congenital hearing loss occurs when genetic issues, prenatal problems or premature birth cause a child to be born with hearing problems.
- Acquired hearing loss occurs any time after birth and may be caused by illnesses, physical trauma, exposure to loud noises and medications.
A common childhood ailment is otitis media, otherwise known as an ear infection. It occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear and cause difficulty hearing and, in severe cases, may lead to permanent hearing damage.
Now that you know that your child can suffer from hearing loss, how do you know if they are? Turns out, there are a number of signs you should be on the lookout for.
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your child’s Boone audiologist to have their hearing checked immediately.
- A delay in speech and language
- Failure to respond to loud noises or your voice
- Poor academic performance
- Frequent ear infections
- Disorders associated with hearing loss (i.e. Down syndrome or autism)
- Family history of hearing loss
If your child shows signs of hearing loss, your Boone audiologist will complete a series of tests to determine their type and degree of hearing loss. The treatment will depend entirely on the cause.
Ear infections are often treated with a wait-and-see approach. If your child consistently gets ear infections, their Boone audiologist will often recommend medications or ear tubes. Ear tubes are inserted surgically and allow fluid to drain from the ears.
If your child is suffering from permanent hearing loss, they can typically be treated with the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices.
Treating your child’s hearing loss as early as possible is key, as untreated hearing loss can lead to speech or learning difficulties. Contact your Boone audiologist today if you think your child is showing signs of hearing loss.