Hearing loss isn’t confined to older adults: children of all ages can experience a loss of hearing. Roughly three out of 1000 babies are born with hearing loss, and its prevalence is increasing in adolescents. Noise-induced hearing loss is largely responsible for this increase. If you suspect your child is having difficulty hearing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Delaying can have a strong effect on a child’s learning and development.
What Causes Hearing Loss?
There are three main causes of hearing loss in children. Otitis media (ear infection) is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. This occurs when fluid accumulates behind the ear drum and interferes with hearing. The good news is that this is very treatable. Additionally, congenital factors contribute to children who are born with hearing problems because of genetic issues, prenatal problems or premature birth. Acquired hearing loss is triggered by illnesses, physical trauma, exposure to loud noises and medications.
What Are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss?
How can you tell if your child might have a hearing loss? There are a number of signs that should prompt you to have your child’s hearing tested ASAP. These include:
- A delay in speech and language
- Failure to respond to loud noises or your voice
- Poor academic performance
- Failed school hearing screen
- Frequent ear infections
- Disorders associated with hearing loss (i.e. Down syndrome or autism)
- Family history of hearing loss
How Is Hearing Loss Treated?
There are numerous options for treating hearing loss in children, depending upon the type and severity of their condition. Your child’s doctor may take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to otitis media; chronic cases may be treated with medications or ear tubes that are inserted surgically and allow fluid to drain from the ears.
Other types of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices that enable a child to communicate.
The earlier that hearing loss is diagnosed the better. Prompt treatment decreases the risk of speech and/or learning difficulties as the result of a hearing impairment.
Call San Diego ENT at (858) 926-7010 for more information or to schedule an appointment.