Unrecognized hearing loss in children can result in slower development than hearing children

It is critical for children to hear the world around them. The ability to hear provides children with sound cues, language, fine speech patterns and education for the rest of their lives. Children with undiagnosed hearing loss will often be withdrawn and isolated from other children in their age group. They also tend to develop speech at a slower pace than a hearing child.

In most hospitals in the United States, an infant hearing test is given to provide early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss. Often, those most sensitive to congenital hearing loss are premature infants or infants who are given life sustaining respiratory treatment after birth. Certain medications given to pregnant women can cause congenital hearing loss; as can certain viral infections in the mother, such as Rubella and toxoplasmosis.

Hearing loss in children can also be acquired at any point during their childhood. There are many causes of acquired hearing loss including untreated ear infections, meningitis, mumps, excessive loud noises, serious head injuries and eardrum perforation. Acquired hearing loss is often preventable and children should be watched carefully for symptoms of hearing loss after any head injury or viral infection.

Children communicate using speech patterns and auditory feedback from others around them. Without speech and the ability to receive auditory feedback from adults and peers, children can be seriously delayed in learning to read and perform interactive tasks. Children who are unable to understand what the teacher is saying will fall behind other students in the same age group, which can cause serious academic and social problems.

One way to lessen the effects of hearing loss in children is the correct use of hearing aids. Early diagnosis and treatment are generally beneficial to children in keeping with the developmental level of others in the same age group. Hearing aids should only be prescribed by a hearing professional and parents or adult caregivers should be thoroughly educated in their use and maintenance. With the proper use and care of hearing aids, children can be given a better chance to learn at a pace close to, if not equivalent to, others their same age.

Share and Enjoy: