Hearing Loss and Your Child
Why you need to get your child tested, plus the warning signs, treatment and prevention of hearing loss.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), hearing loss is the most common congenital condition in the U.S. Thirty-three infants are born daily with some degree of hearing loss due to factors such as very low birth weight and maternal illness during pregnancy such as German measles.

However, hearing loss isn’t just congenital. About one in eight children have noise-induced hearing loss. Other risk factors include:

• genetics
• frequent or severe ear infections
• Down syndrome
• meningitis
• medications such as chemotherapy drugs

Family doctors and pediatricians test children’s hearing from a very early age, so it’s important to go for those checkups. If your child is deaf or has difficulty hearing and it’s not detected by the age of two or three, he can develop speech and learning problems.

Common Warning Signs for Hearing Loss
• Not responding when called by name
• frequently asking for words to be repeated
• difficulty following conversations
• lack of attentiveness
• constantly turning up the TV volume
• speech problems
• learning difficulties

Hearing Loss Treatment
If fluid build-up from an ear infection is causing the hearing loss, antibiotics or ear tubes may be recommended. If this is not the case, then your child’s pediatric audiologist or otolaryngologist will recommend one or more types of treatment.

Treatment for hearing loss includes hearing aids, a specialized amplification device called an FM system, speech or lip reading, and listening therapy. A child with a severe case of hearing loss may need a cochlear implant. Your child may also be referred for rehabilitation such as speech therapy, or social integration (to help your child develop peer relationships or cope in a mainstream classroom).

How to Prevent Hearing Loss in Your Child
You can help to reduce your child’s chances of hearing loss by making sure electronics — including mp3 players, TVs, radios and computer headphones — are played at a low volume. Also, make sure that you seek early medical attention for ear infections.

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