Ways To Recognize And Prevent Hearing Loss In Young Children
There can be any number of factors contributing to hearing problems in children. In some cases, a hearing problem may be only temporary. For instance, temporary hearing loss can result from blockages in a child’s ear canal caused by such things as excess ear wax, or small objects or parts of toys. Childhood ear infections can also cause a loss of hearing.
Indications of Hearing Loss in Kids
There are many reasons why a child might experience hearing loss. In some cases, a hearing problem may be only temporary. For instance, temporary hearing loss can result from blockages in a child’s ear canal caused by such things as excess ear wax, or small objects or parts of toys. A child’s hearing may also be affected by an infection in the ear.
Statistics show about one in 1,000 babies are often born with a serious hearing problem, while an additional one in 1,000 can end up developing a problem before they reach the age of 6 years old. Certain risk factors increase a child’s chance for experiencing hearing loss. A couple of these factors are: a genetic disposition, or exposure to a severe infection or specific drugs prior to or at the time of birth. After a baby is born there may be a number of reasons for hearing loss to come about.
A particularly high risk factor are children that are born three pounds or less. Babies who spend more than 10 days on a respirator after birth are more likely to have hearing loss. As children grow, many other types of Illnesses such, as measles and mumps as well as injuries and toxins also can cause hearing loss.
Another huge factor of hearing loss is if a child has a lot of ear infections in the middle portion of the ear. A child with hearing loss that is categorized as profound will not hear any sounds. This type of hearing loss is seen in less than six percent of children. If you find yourself having to raise your voice to a higher volume for your child to hear you, you might want to get their hearing tested.
If other members of your family have no trouble hearing the television or radio but your child seems to have difficulty there might be some hearing loss. Your kid might mention that he/she is having trouble hearing the instructors at school. Assessing auditory ability in an infant or developing child is more difficult. It may be necessary to watch carefully to see if your child is reaction to sounds. Infants around 3 months will exhibit reactions to loud noises that might include crying, throwing out their arms or blinking.
Babies who are four months or older generally turn to try and find the source of the sound. If you do not see these reactions, a complete examination with an experienced doctor is in order. Experts in the field recommend a regular hearing screening at each doctor’s visit and a more formal test between 3 and 4 years of age. Hearing tests are done through the playing of a series of tones to which children listen through earphones designed for this purpose. When children are old enough to attend school, most often it’s their teachers who first notice when a child isn’t hearing very well.
After school sports coaches additionally might take note if a child is having trouble hearingcalls, signals or instructions from referees. Moms and dads can lower their children’s odds of experiencing hearing issues. Have your kid immunized to ward off harmful infections. You also want to be sure that your child always has a seat belt on in the car, and uses a helmet when riding a bicycle. The potential for eardrum injury in children is greatly decreased by these factors.
Never allow your child to insert anything into the ear canal or clean their ears on their own. Also, whenever your child develops any kind of symptoms of an ear infection, an earache, fever or hearing loss, discharge from the ear, or seems to be slow in learning to talk, call your doctor immediately.
Especially at risk are those infants of extreme low birth weight (usually less than 3 pounds). Babies who spend more than 10 days on a respirator after birth are more likely to have hearing loss. As children grow up there are several other kinds of illnesses that can create a hearing loss, such as measles, mumps, toxins, and often physical injuries.
Another common cause is when a child tends to have frequent, reoccurring, persistent, or chronic middle ear infections. Children with profound hearing loss cannot hear speech or any other sounds. Fewer than 6 percent of all children who have hearing problems experience profound hearing loss. Abruptly having to talk with a louder tone is often a reason that parents suspect a hearing problem.
While other members of the family find the volume on the radio or TV is adequate, a child will hearing difficulty will express discontent with the volume level. Another common complaint from children is that they can’t hear their teachers speaking. It’s more difficult to check for hearing loss in babies and young children. It may be necessary to watch carefully to see if your child is reaction to sounds. Infants who are twelve weeks old, for instance, tend to cry, fling their arms out, or blink when a loud noise occurs.
At 4 months, an infant might turn their heads to search for the source of the sound. You might want to check your child’s hearing if it doesn’t do these things. Health care professionals recommend that children between the ages of 3 and 4 should have regular hearing tests every time they visit the doctor. Audiometry, a test in which a child listens to tones in earphones is the most common of those formal hearing tests. In school aged children, teachers are often the first ones to notice that a child is not hearing well.
Sports coaches are also in a position to take note of when children don’t hear officials’ calls, directions, or signals during a practice or a game. There are many things parents can to do lessen the likelihood that their children will develop hearing problems.
