If you believe your child to be disadvantaged by hearing loss, you are likely distressed about their condition and future. Your child’s speech and language skills will indeed be affected if they face hearing impairment. However, with the recent advances in research and technology, numerous treatment options and adaptive techniques are available to help your child grow to their full potential. You can consider renowned professionals HearCanada for proper care. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about hearing issues in children and how to help them navigate through life.
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The Signs and Symptoms
If your newborn doesn’t get startled when they hear loud noises or don’t respond to familiar sounds as they get a few months older, it is time to visit a pediatrician to check their hearing. Your child should be able to start babbling sounds, try to get your attention or mimic your words by using different sounds when they are around 9 to 25 months old.
Typically newborns are screened to test their hearing a day or two after birth. Still, babies sometimes develop hearing difficulties as they age, even after passing the initial tests.
The signs might look different if your toddler or school-going child has hearing loss. For instance, they may not respond to their name being called, misunderstand words, have learning difficulties in academics, sit very close to the TV, or turn up the volume high to understand things. Such children might also show speech or language delays, speaking and acting differently from others their age. One way is to read to your children regularly and observe their reactions.
Hearing impairment can significantly affect a child’s learning and may even contribute to the development of some behavioral issues if left untreated, so it’s essential you address the concerns on time
Causes of Hearing Impairment
More than 50% of children born with hearing difficulties occur due to genetics called congenital hearing loss. These may include syndromes like Usher syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, down’s syndrome, or Alport syndrome. It might be passed on if one parent suffers from the condition or even when neither parent suffers, but both contain a recessive gene that appears as a hearing condition in their child.
Non-genetic factors may include premature birth, a nervous or brain disorder, birth complications like herpes, or infections that may cause a lack of oxygen or blood. It is essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy because maternal issues may also contribute, like using certain drugs called ototoxins during pregnancy, maternal diabetes, or infections that can lead to loss of auditory nerves.
In contrast, acquired hearing loss occurs when a child develops an impairment later on in life; this can be due to a perforated eardrum, infections like meningitis, measles, or mumps, a severe head injury, exposure to loud noises, exposure to smoke or toxins or untreated ear infections.
Treatments for Childhood Hearing Loss
If a child has temporary hearing loss due to a wax buildup or an infection, the ENT department may be able to fix the problem through medications. Other treatment options include the use of hearing aids. The appropriate treatment depends upon the severity of the problem, which can be assessed through non-invasive tests by an audiologist. Cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing systems, assistive listening devices, and speech therapy may also be considered.
Endnote
Untreated hearing loss can negatively impact your child’s quality of life, education, and development. If you suspect your child to suffer from any hearing ailment, it is crucial to get checked right away. The pediatrician might be a good place to start; they may refer you to an educational audiologist to further the treatment.
