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Child Hearing Loss

Kid's Corner

Hearing loss at any age is an emotional issue. It robs you of a sense that adds so much to the richness of life. This loss is especially heartbreaking in children. Not only does it impact the sound experience of a life yet to be lived to the fullest, but it also creates a barrier to a child's number one job, learning. Fortunately, many causes of hearing loss are treatable, and it is often possible to return the sounds of childhood to a young life. Read on to learn more.

Categories of Hearing Loss
As with adults, hearing loss in children is measured in degrees. The loss can range from mild, which has little impact on the child; to a moderately loss where they can only hear very loud speech sounds; to a profound loss where they cannot hear any speech sounds without the use of hearing aids.

Hearing loss in children typically falls into two main categories. The most common, a conductive hearing loss, is associated with conditions in the external or middle ear that block the transmission of sound. These conditions can include ear infection, fluid in the ear, impacted earwax, a perforated eardrum, a foreign object in the canal or birth defects that alter the canal. Many of these conditions are treatable through minor procedures or surgery.

Sensorineural loss, also known as "nerve deafness", is the second type. This occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Most often, this type of loss is congenital which means it is present at birth. It can also be caused by very high fevers, the use of ototoxic drugs (antibiotics), premature birth with a very low birth weight or a number of other medical conditions. Although there is no cure for this type of hearing loss, in most cases children can often be helped with hearing aids.

Symptoms
Signs to look for possible hearing issues in children of different ages are:

Newborn / infant:

  • Not startling at loud noises
  • Not showing normal speech development

Toddler and older:

  • Sitting close to the television with the sound turned up to a loud volume
  • Having difficulty in school
  • Not responding to someone that is talking without being face to face
  • Stating they are having difficulty hearing

If you believe your child is experiencing a hearing loss, consult with your physician or an AudigyCertified™ professional at the earliest possible date. Timely testing, diagnosis and treatment provide the best course of action to ensuring the highest quality lifetime Sound Experience for your child.

The Audigy Certified™ audiologists at Whittier Hearing Center are experts in the proper assessment of hearing loss in children. They work closely with physicians to resolve medically treatable problems. They are also well trained in the prescribing and fitting of hearing aids to reduce the impact of hearing loss on children. They have special equipment which allows them to assess the hearing of very young children or those who cannot speak or take traditional hearing tests.


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