Hearing Loss in Children

Hearing loss in children is a silent, hidden handicap. Hidden because children, especially infants and toddlers, cannot tell us that they are not hearing. A handicap because if undetected and untreated, hearing loss in children can lead to delayed speech and language development, social and emotional problems, and academic failure. By detecting hearing loss as early as possible, effective treatment can be applied which significantly reduces the handicap of hearing loss. Often, identification of a child’s hearing loss is delayed because parents are unaware that even a newborn can receive an accurate and reliable hearing test. Unfortunately, routine check-ups seldom include the simple hearing evaluation that could identify hearing loss. Types of hearing loss: Conductive: This involves the outer and/or middle ear and usually is not permanent. Most conductive hearing losses can be corrected with medication or surgical means. Sensori-neural: This is usually permanent and not correctable through medical management. Hearing aids and/or cochlear implants are the primary methods of rehabilitation with this type. Mixed: This is a combination of conductive and sensori-neural hearing loss.

Causes of Hearing Loss

There are many causes of hearing loss. Otitis Media is the most common cause of childhood hearing loss and is often referred to as fluid in the middle ear or an ear infection. This type of hearing loss is usually corrected easily with medication or by surgically placing tubes in the eardrums to drain fluid. If left untreated, otitis media may cause long-term damage and result in pronounced speech and language delays. Certain medications may cause ototoxic (drug induced) hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is characterized by vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and decreased hearing. Unfortunately, ototoxic hearing loss is often permanent. Newborns may be given antibiotics following birth if an infection is present or suspected which can result in hearing loss. For this reason, infant hearing screening is vitally important. Other causes of hearing loss may include meningitis, other bacterial or viral infections, Rh incompatibility, diabetes mellitus, acoustic nerve tumors, and genetic hearing loss.

Degree and Severity of Hearing Loss:
Mild hearing loss may result in inattention, mild language and speech problems, and auditory dysfunction after the first year. Moderate hearing loss can cause children to miss almost all of the speech sounds at a conversational level, but may improve with amplification. Severe hearing loss may cause a lack of developing spontaneous speech and language. However, with amplification, speech and language skills can be acquired when combined with auditory rehabilitation. Profound hearing loss generally refers to the inability to hear any sound. Some individuals with profound hearing loss may benefit from hearing aids; however, cochlear implants are becoming the habilitation method of choice.

Auditory developmental milestones:

0-4 months — Sudden noises awaken baby. Infant startled by loud noises.

4-7 months — Turns toward sounds that are out of sight. Will babble a large variety of sounds.

7-9 months — Gurgles directly at people who are speaking to him/her. Makes sounds with rising and falling inflections.

9-13 months — Turns to find a sound from directly behind. Begins to imitate sounds. Begins to say “ma-ma” and “da-da.”

13-24 months — Responds when called from another room.