Recognising the Signs of Hearing Loss in Children
Good hearing is essential for a child to develop lifelong skills such as communication,language, and social interaction. Hearing tests for children are important in ensuringappropriate hearing development while preventing hearing-related issues throughout life.Untreated hearing loss can have detrimental impacts on a child’s ability to learn, grow, andmeet their developmental milestones. Early detection and intervention of hearing loss arecrucial in preventing more serious hearing-related challenges later in life. There are signs tolook out for that can help with the early detection of hearing loss in children.
From birth, children learn about their world through the sounds they hear. Hearing plays afundamental role in cognitive development and language acquisition. Studies have shownthat the earlier intervention is provided for hearing loss, the greater the outcomes seen inlanguage development, academic performance, and social interaction. This means thatrecognising the signs of hearing loss is essential for a child’s development.
Delayed language and speech skills can be key indicators of hearing loss in children.
Additionally, your child’s response to sound can tell you more about how they are hearingtheir environment. When observing your child, you should look for signs of response tosounds, such as when you call them by name or the sound of a phone ringing. Babies from 0to 3 months should startle at loud noises, and babies around 6 months of age should looktoward new sounds. When a child has hearing loss, they often appear unresponsive toverbal cues or ignore sounds around them. This observation could indicate hearing issuesthat need further investigation.
Children with hearing loss often misunderstand what they hear, leading to inappropriateresponses or misinterpretations of questions. This can also include difficulty followinginstructions. Struggling to understand simple instructions such as “sit down” or “come here”can suggest a hearing difficulty. Inappropriate responses to questions or instructions mayindicate difficulty hearing and processing information. Children with hearing loss canmisinterpret instructions, causing them to ask for multiple repeats if they are at an age wherethey are able to do so. These misunderstandings can be more apparent in noisyenvironments, such as a busy classroom or restaurant, leading to significant frustration forthe child and those around them. Therefore, it is important to investigate the cause ofmisunderstandings if they occur frequently.
It is essential to speak with a hearing care professional, such as an audiologist, if you areobserving these signs. An audiologist can conduct a comprehensive hearing test todetermine if there is a problem with your child’s hearing or listening. They can identifywhether hearing loss is present, to what degree, and recommend appropriate next stepsspecific to your child and their hearing. Early diagnosis of hearing loss is vital to ensuringthat intervention is provided as soon as possible, allowing your child to grow and develop totheir fullest potential. Recognising the signs of hearing loss in children is crucial for theiroverall health, development, and well-being.
At Focus Hearing we can test your child’s hearing from 6 years of age at our Crows Nestclinic.
Focus Hearing is your local independent audiology clinic in Crow’s Nest, Erina (CentralCoast), Mona Vale (Northern Beaches) and surrounding areas, dedicated to providingindividualised hearing solutions. Contact us today on 8402 1202 for expert guidance,comprehensive evaluations, and personalised care. Let us help you on your journey to ahealthier, happier life. Reach out now and discover the difference exceptional hearing carecan make!
