Although hearing loss is most commonly associated with seniors and older adults, progressive and temporary hearing loss can also occur in children. Hearing loss in children may be congenital, meaning it appears at birth, or it may be acquired, developing later on in their childhood. As a parent, you are always looking out for potential health conditions in your children. Understanding the signs of hearing loss in infants, toddlers, and children will help you evaluate if your child is experiencing hearing loss.
Some types of hearing loss can be treated. Temporary hearing loss may be treatable with surgery, medication, or ear tubes to restore the child’s hearing. Children can also adapt to permanent hearing loss with the help of medical devices such as hearing aids.
If you suspect that your child is experiencing hearing loss, book a hearing test with an audiology clinic. Audiologists such as Toronto Hearing Consultants conduct hearing tests and hearing aid fittings to help people of all ages adapt to hearing loss.
These are some of the leading signs of childhood hearing loss.
#1 Lack of Response from Parents’ Voices
Infants typically begin responding to their parents’ voices around the age of 3 months. While there are many reasons your baby may not be responsive at that age, and every child develops differently, hearing loss is one potential reason.
#2 Not Becoming Startled by Loud Noises
One significant sign that your child may have hearing loss or deafness is that they are not startled by loud noises. If they are unresponsive to car alarms, loud bangs, and other noises that startle you, they may have extreme hearing loss.
#3 Delayed Language Skills
Hearing is a critical component in language development. Hearing loss can delay speech and communication development because the child is not getting the same inputs. Hearing loss may also manifest as abnormal speech patterns and mishearing and mispronouncing words.
#4 Insisting on Listening to Music or T.V. at High Volumes
As with hearing loss in older adults, a child listening to music or T.V. at volumes that you find uncomfortably high may be a sign that they have hearing loss. This sign requires some sensitivity. Children may also turn up the volume just for fun, but if they insist that they cannot hear the T.V., you may want to look for other signs of hearing loss.
#5 Not Imitating Sounds or Simple Words
A regular part of language development is imitating sounds and small, simple words, a development which typically occurs around 12 months of age. This can be an early sign of congenital hearing loss or an infection that has caused hearing loss. Hearing loss can cause children to miss developmental milestones, such as imitating sounds and words.
#6 Becoming Withdrawn or Frustrated
Behavioral changes can indicate hearing loss in older children. A child suddenly becoming withdrawn or more easily frustrated by things can indicate that they are struggling in social situations because they are struggling to hear. Children may avoid socializing if they find it difficult.
If you are concerned that your child may have hearing loss, get their hearing tested. A hearing aid can be a transformative assistive device that puts them back on track.