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Five Facts You Probably Don’t Know About Hearing Loss Among Children Whether you are young or old, you may experience hearing loss. In fact, nearly 12 percent of kids age 6 through 19 have noise induced hearing loss according to the American Academy of Audiology. Hearing loss is also the number one most common type of birth defect in the U.S. In fact, the American Speech and Language Association reports that approximately 12,000 babies are born each year with hearing loss. Language development is positively impacted by early intervention. – The earlier in life that hearing losses are identified, the more likely the child is to develop fully normal language skills. Due to earlier treatment, infants whose hearing loss was detected at age 6 months or younger proved to develop better language skills than kids whose hearing impairment wasn’t discovered until after 6 months of age. Some hearing loss in kids can be reversible. - Children can experience hearing loss from many factors, some are reversible such as an ear infection or a build up of earwax in the middle ear. Medical treatment or minor surgery could be the solution to some hearing loss issues, but early intervention is vital. When ear infections are not treated promptly, there is a risk of permanent hearing loss so medical treatment should be sought promptly. Permanent hearing loss can be avoided. – It may be surprising to note that noise related hearing loss is 100 percent avoidable. Protect your kid’s ears with earplugs and/or earmuffs and turn down the volume on the stereo, television, game systems and MP3 player to avoid noise related hearing loss in your children and teens. Hearing loss could delay language development. – During the formative years between birth and 3, kids have a keen ability to learn language skills. Hearing is vital to normal speech development because this process begins in young children with the ability to listen. Language skills are vital in order for kids to go on to learn how to read effectively.

 

   

Central  Audiology  Center,  LLC  | (240)  329-­‐4401  | http://hearingaidshagerstown.com  

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Parents may be the first to notice symptoms of hearing loss in kids. - Many times parents are the first to recognize signs of hearing loss in infants and small children. Response to your voice, noticing noises that toys make (such as rattles), and making babbling sounds are all signs to observe for to ensure infants have normal hearing. At 9 months your baby should respond to the sound of his/her name, repeat back some noises he/she hears and follow simple commands. For a more in depth list of normal milestones for babies and young children to assess possible hearing loss, ask your hearing specialist or audiologist. Be sure to find out about recommended screenings as well.