All About Pediatric Hearing Loss
One to six out of every 1,000 infants are born with hearing impairment, though the true number is likely much higher due to the lack of proper screening. The number also grows with time, since hearing loss is not always present at birth.
Around 8% of all Americans struggling with hearing loss are under than age of 18. Hearing is essential for language and speech development, as well as learning and literacy, and children with hearing loss have more difficulties learning verbal communication and social skills than their hearing peers.
It’s heartbreaking to watch your child suffer with hearing loss. Learn more about the causes, signs, and treatments for pediatric hearing loss.
Causes of Childhood Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be present at birth or manifest within the first few months or years of life. Some infant hearing impairment is caused by maternal factors such as maternal infections, or toxins like alcohol or drugs. Birth complications such as low birth weight, lack of oxygen, birth injuries, or premature birth can also cause hearing loss. Genetics are another factor, as well as childhood ear infections and injury, or diseases like measles and chicken pox. However, loud noise exposure is still a leading cause of childhood hearing loss.
Signs of Infant Hearing Loss
If your baby doesn’t respond to sudden, loud noises, it may indicate a hearing loss. Another sign of hearing loss is if your child doesn’t look around for the source of the voice when the person speaking is not in visual range. Most hospitals give hearing screenings to infants in the first few days of their lives.
Early Identification
Early identification and intervention is essential to reduce the negative impacts of childhood hearing loss. If your infant receives treatment within the first 6 months of life, they will experience better speech and learning outcomes, and adapt well to treatment.
Screening infants for hearing loss and conducting medical examinations within the first few months of life is the best way to identify hearing loss. If you have any doubts about your child’s hearing, get screened! Don’t wait. In child development every day counts, so don’t waste valuable time, or delay your child’s learning.
Treating Childhood Hearing Loss
Some hearing loss can be treated by medications to fight infection, or surgery to repair damage. However, the most common form of treatment is to be fitted for hearing aids. Behind-the-ear models are the most common for children. The inner ear piece is softer on the ear than the more rigid In-the-ear models, and can be easily replaced as the child grows. Behind-the-ear hearing aids also allow caregivers easy access to change the settings in different environments. As with adult hearing aids, children’s hearing aids have advanced features and settings, including directional microphones, noise reduction, and frequency lowering technology.
If hearing loss is so severe that hearing aids don’t help, your child may be eligible for cochlear implants. This device is surgically implanted, and wires go from an external hearing aid right to the auditory nerve, bypassing the ear altogether. Hearing will not be as natural, but will allow profoundly deaf children to hear sound.
If you think your child has hearing loss, don’t delay! Set up an appointment to get screened, and give your child the opportunity to develop language and communication alongside their peers.