You’ve been very observant about everything your child needs throughout their young life. From their first set of clothes to their first time eating, you’ve been there every step of the way.

Yet what if what they’re missing does not come in a box or a bottle, but in their ears?

In This Article...

1. How early can hearing loss appear in children?
2. What are common signs of hearing loss for children?
3. How can pediatric hearing loss be treated?

How early can hearing loss appear in children?

Hearing loss can happen at any time during a child’s life. This can be present at birth as congenital deafness or happen later on due to factors like infections or exposure to loud noises.

What are common signs of hearing loss for children?

Congenital hearing loss can often be detected during newborn hearing screenings at the hospital. For hearing loss that is not detected at birth, typical warning signs may include:

Not reacting appropriately to sounds

If your infant is not responding to loud noises, it could be a sign of hearing loss. Older kids may ask for frequent repetition or turn the volume very high on devices.

Delayed speech and verbal comprehension

With hearing being a huge part of communication, any impairment early in the child’s life can affect how they speak and understand others. Within the first year, children ideally should be babbling and imitating sounds.

Decreased academic performance

For children who develop hearing loss as they get older, they may begin to fall behind in school. They may also ask to move to the front of the classes or for their teachers to repeat questions or instructions.

How can pediatric hearing loss be treated?

Regardless of whether a child is born with hearing loss or develops it from noise or illness, they can receive support through ENT and audiology care. Through a collaboration with an ENT physician and an audiologist, the child will undergo a hearing test and ear examination to determine the severity and possible causes of their hearing loss.

Based on the diagnosis, the care team will create a personalized treatment plan.

Surgical intervention and cochlear implants

Dr. Jad Jabbour, a CEENTA pediatric otolaryngologist who sees patients at our SouthPark office, describes a few of these treatment options. “Potential surgeries could range from ear tubes for patients with chronic ear infections to more complex procedures such as cochlear implantation, depending on the type and severity of the hearing loss.” These treatments will typically be in coordination with speech therapy and auditory verbal therapy. CEENTA now offers this service through our auditory-verbal therapist, Tegan DeMarcus, MS, CCC-SLP, who is taking new patients.

Hearing aids

For patients who can receive hearing aids, a mold will be made of the child’s ear canal to ensure a comfortable fit. In most cases, hearing aids for children are often customized to feature tamper-resistant battery cases, durable earmolds, and fun colors for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Hearing loss does not need to limit your child’s development, and the right treatment plan can help give them what they need to enjoy every sound as they grow up. At CEENTA, we offer comprehensive hearing care for children including surgical and non-surgical intervention with your child’s specific needs in mind.

To get started, schedule your child’s hearing test at CEENTA by calling 704-295-3000.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.