Often, children suffer from hearing loss, but there are treatment options available. Learn more about treatment options and the signs and symptoms of hearing loss in children.
Signs and symptoms
Identifying signs and symptoms of hearing loss in children can be difficult. Some kids have a hard time hearing in noisy environments and others may have problems understanding words that sound similar. Still, a child’s hearing may be improved through early intervention. If your child’s hearing isn’t normal, he or she may require hearing aids or speech therapy.
Children with hearing problems may also have delays in motor and language development. Getting an early hearing test can help your child reach his or her developmental milestones. Some children need cochlear implants or assistive listening devices.
Hearing loss in children is fairly common. It can occur at any age but is more likely to occur in children under five. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including diseases, infections, and genetics. While there are a few common causes of temporary hearing loss, some kids may experience permanent hearing loss if they don’t get it treated right away.
One of the most common causes of hearing loss in kids is otitis media. It is an inflammation of the middle ear that causes the buildup of fluid. While there are many different symptoms associated with otitis media, the most common ones are ear pain, ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, and hearing loss.
Another common cause of hearing loss in children is an auditory processing disorder. This is caused by the brain and ears not working well together. APD can be caused by a number of different things, including diseases like meningitis or rubella, physical injury to the inner ear, or abnormal development of the inner ear.
If your child has a hearing problem, your doctor may refer you to an audiologist. A pediatric audiologist can examine your child’s hearing and treat any ear infection or wax buildup.
You can also ask your family doctor for a referral to an ENT doctor. An ENT doctor can test your child’s hearing and refer you to an audiologist for a more extensive evaluation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for hearing loss. This is done in a simple test that takes only a few minutes.
Causes
Almost one in ten children will have some form of hearing loss at birth. This can be a temporary or permanent condition. If it’s not treated, it can severely impair speech and language. It can also lead to social isolation and emotional difficulties. The earlier the problem is detected, the better the result.
The most common cause of hearing loss in children is infection. Infections can appear during illnesses or when residual water builds up in the middle ear.
Another cause is a condition known as cerumen. This abnormal growth of skin in the middle ear can cause hearing loss. If the skin is too large, it can block the eustachian tube, the passage between the ear and the back of the throat.
Ear infections and colds can also cause hearing loss in children. These are often treated with antibiotics. If the infection continues, the child may develop a condition known as cholesteatoma. This condition damages the small bones of the middle ear.
Other causes of hearing loss in children include head injuries and tumors. These conditions can cause conductive hearing loss, which is the loss of hearing in the outer ear canal. Typically, the loss is temporary. If the condition is severe, the child may not be able to hear at all.
Some children with hearing loss have problems interpreting speech. They may not respond to sounds or imitate the actions of others. They may also have social, learning, and academic problems. Depending on the severity of the problem, the child may need to see a hearing specialist.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening children for hearing loss as soon as possible. This can help keep the child on track with developmental milestones. In addition, early detection of a problem is better for language development and overall development.
The most common causes of hearing loss in children include infection, disease, and other problems. If you suspect that your child has a problem, talk to your pediatrician immediately. He or she can help you determine whether your child has a hearing problem and what type of treatment is necessary.
Treatment options
Whether your child has permanent hearing loss or temporary hearing loss, there are many treatment options to choose from. These options will help your child better communicate with others and learn speech and language skills. These options include hearing aids, speech and language therapy, cochlear implants, and auditory brainstem implants.
The first step in treating a child’s hearing loss is to identify the type of hearing loss. There are three main types. These types include conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. These types of hearing loss can vary from mild to severe.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by fluid behind the eardrum, a perforated eardrum, or an ear infection. This fluid is unable to be cleared by antibiotics, decongestants, or antihistamines. The fluid can be cleared by inserting an ear tube, which drains the fluid away from the ear drum.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by an abnormality of the inner ear or an auditory nerve problem. This type of hearing loss is often permanent. It occurs when damage to the inner ear interferes with the child’s brain’s ability to process sound.
Treatment options for children with permanent hearing loss include hearing aids and cochlear implants. These devices help your child hear some sounds and reduce their risk of academic difficulties. These devices are available in many styles and sizes. You may need to change your child’s communication habits if he or she needs to use the device.
Treatment options for children with moderate hearing loss include speech and language therapy and hearing aids. These devices will help your child learn to follow conversations and speak in a quiet environment.
Treatment options for children with severe hearing loss include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and sign language. These devices help your child hear sounds above 81 dB. They may also need to learn to lip-read.
Treatment options for children with mixed hearing loss include hearing aids, speech, and language therapy, and auditory brainstem implants. These devices will help your child hear some sounds, but they won’t restore your child’s hearing to normal. Depending on the severity of your child’s hearing loss, he or she may need to learn sign language, lip reading, or other special skills.
Early intervention
Providing early intervention for hearing loss in children requires a team of professionals to address the child’s needs. A team may include a speech and language therapist, educational psychologist, audiologist, and pediatrician. The team will consider the child’s cognitive skills, physical capabilities, and the type of communication method that will be most effective.
Early intervention is designed to help children with hearing loss learn to speak and understand language. It can also improve their social skills and encourage them to be engaged with others. Children who receive early intervention services are more likely to be ready for kindergarten.
In the first six years of a child’s life, the brain is programmed to learn the language. Without early intervention, language acquisition becomes more difficult. Developing language skills early in life allows children to succeed in interpersonal relationships.
In addition, the early detection of hearing loss can have long-term benefits. Detecting a hearing impairment early helps to ensure that children have access to the services they need to be successful in school. Whether your child has a primary hearing loss or a secondary disability, it is important to start early intervention services.
An Individualized Family Service Plan is one type of early intervention plan. It is an instruction manual designed to help parents learn how to help their children achieve specific goals. It can include information about parent support groups and other resources for children with hearing loss. Some states have a Guide by Your Side program, which provides support for parents in the early weeks of a child’s life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded a study to investigate the effectiveness of early intervention for children with hearing loss. Researchers analyzed records from 1,746 infants born with permanent hearing loss between 2008 and 2014. The study found that children who received early intervention services were more likely to be ready for kindergarten. In addition, the study found that children who received early intervention services had a lower risk of language delays.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that children with disabilities have access to free services. Part C of the IDEA program provides federal grant funds to states to operate a statewide program of early intervention services.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
