How to Detect Hearing Loss in Children

1. How to Detect Hearing Loss in Children

2. Hearing and speech are an imperative tool that directly influence all the aspects of a child’s development. • Hearing loss or impairment, if not detected and treated early, may cause the affected child to miss much of the language and communication around and hinder their development. • So, it is important for parents to look for issues with their child’s hearing at an early age. • Here are some signs that will help identify hearing abnormalities in your child and avoid potential loss.

3. Natural Signs to Identify Hearing Impairment or Loss • Babbling is the first form of a child’s oral communication, which he/she acquires by the age of 9 months. If your baby doesn’t make babbling sounds by this age, his hearing might be impaired. • In addition, a baby not responding to familiar voices, smiles or coos, not startling at loud noises, no turning of the eyes and head toward sources of familiar sounds, not responding to his/her name may have hearing issues. • Toddlers and young children with hearing impairment issues don’t communicate much or talk to people, at all. They have a hard time communicating and sharing and tend to cut off themselves from the real world. • Children aged 4-5 years with hearing problems tend to speak loudly, watch television at loud volumes, appear inattentive, pronounce words incorrectly and respond inappropriately to questions.

4. Diagnosis and Medical Evaluations Apart from the aforementioned easily detectable signs, you can consult with a physician to have your child’s hearing diagnosed. Depending on the child’s age and medical history, the following tests may be performed to detect a hearing loss. • Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test gauges the brain’s response to a sound and is performed on children who can’t cooperate for a traditional method. • Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) is a quick screening test for newborns that check the inner ear’s response to a sound.

5. BehaviouralAudiometry Evaluation are tests performed on children who are old enough to actively respond to different sounds by turning their head, raising their hand and playing games. • Tympanometry is a test that detects the condition of the middle ear and the ability of the eardrum to move. Moreover, there are many specialists who offer free hearing tests and screening facilities. In case your child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, the physician may refer the child to a professional audiologist who will further identify the nature of the hearing disorder and recommend suitable hearing aids.

6. Get Help Early hearing loss can have serious effects on a child’s development. However, getting the child into treatments as soon as the problem is detected can help the child reach their full potential.

7. Contact Us • Visit: http://www.hassa.com.au/ • Email: reception@hassa.com.au • Contact No.: 08 8362 6099 • Address: 6 Grenfell Street, Kent Town, S.A. 5067