Hearing Loss in Childhood

Hearing loss in childhood

Early detection of a hearing loss is important. The first three years of a child’s life are critical for developing communication and language skills. If a hearing loss is undiagnosed it may lead to poor speech and learning difficulties. It may also result in behavioural problems. The sooner a hearing loss is detected the better it will be for a child’s overall development.

Causes of hearing disorders

Hearing loss can be permanent or temporary. There are many different causes. It may be pre-natal due to maternal illness during pregnancy or hereditary factors. It may be peri-natal due to a difficult delivery or post-natal due to childhood illnesses. Usually pre and peri -natal hearing losses affect the inner ear and are permanent.

The most common cause of hearing problems in children are middle ear infections also known as “glue ear”- a build up of sticky fluid behind the eardrum. This type of hearing problem is reversible and even preventable.

Normal hearing development

Each child learns and develops at a different rate. The following is a general guide to the behaviour that you may expect at different stages of a child’s life.

Birth to 8 weeks
Baby is startled by a sudden loud noise 1-2 metres away.

6-12 months
Baby turns head toward familiar voices or sounds, babbles and responds to quiet noises.

18 months- 2 years
Child uses a number of single words and understands simple instructions (eg: ‘give me the book’).

2 ½ - 3 ½ years
Child should be speaking clearly using groups of words, follows simple commands without visual clues and repeats phrases.

In older children, hearing difficulties may sometimes be confused with behavioural problems. Constant disobedience, below average school performance and frequent colds are also signs that there may be a hearing problem.

Hearing tests

There is a range of tests available to assess hearing in children that should be performed by an audiologist with paediatric experience.

At Healthy Hearing & Balance Care we have the expertise and are fully equipped to test children as young as 8 months.

Hearing tests (audiometry) accurately measure hearing levels in a fun and playful manner.

Objective assessment of middle ear function – tympanogram, and cochlear function – OAE, are performed using the latest technology.
These tests are not uncomfortable or invasive and can usually be performed in a half hour session.

Auditory processing tests

Children from 7 years of age who are experiencing learning and behaviour difficulties may be tested to aid in identifying problems such as APD (Auditory Processing Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder)

Home