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The Shocking Truth about Hearing Problems and Kids

Loss of hearing can occur during childhood, adolescents, or even at birth. According to experts at the

Academy of Audiology, nearly 12% of younger kids from age 6 through the teen years have hearing loss

resulting from noise. Hearing loss is also the number one most common type of birth defect in the U.S.

Nearly 12,000 children are born each year with some type of hearing loss says the American Speech and

Language Association.

Some hearing loss can be prevented. – You may not realize

that noise related hearing loss is very common and it can

be avoided all together. Protect your kids’ ears with ear

plugs 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.

Speech and reading skills may be adversely affected by

hearing loss. – Children learn more about language from

birth to 3 years of age than they do at any other time in life

because during that time the brain is more receptive to learning language. Hearing is vital to normal

speech development because this process begins in young children with the ability to listen. Good

language skills are very important in order for a young child to learn how to read.

Kids with hearing impairment can benefit greatly from early diagnosis and treatment. – The earlier in life

that hearing losses are identified, the more likely the child is to develop fully normal language skills.

Children whose hearing loss was identified before 6 months of age showed dramatic gains in language skill

development compared to those diagnosed after 6 months of age. This difference was due to early

treatment.

Childhood hearing losses aren’t necessarily lifelong.

- Not all hearing loss is the result of a long term permanent defect. Minor conditions such as a buildup of

earwax or an infection could cause reversible hearing loss. Medical treatment or minor surgery could be

the solution to some hearing loss issues, but early intervention is vital. Chronic (long term) ear infections

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could cause permanent hearing loss so be sure you seek professional help early on if ear infections are

suspected.

Hearing loss signs and symptoms are often times initially observed by parents.

- 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. When babies are nine months or older you should

notice that they understand and respond to basic requests and mimic sounds and noises made by others.

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.