All children receive a hearing screening before leaving their birth hospital. Additional testing may occur at the following intervals or more frequently if the child has risk factors or if hearing loss is suspected. Click here to learn more about ages at which children should have their hearing tested.
Here are five things every parent should know about their child's hearing:
1. Recognize the symptoms. Delays in language development or the failure to develop language (spoken words) are the most important signs of hearing loss in children. Even mild hearing loss in one or both ears can affect how your child communicates with others and how he performs in school. A child with a hearing loss may have one or more hearing loss symptoms.
2. Know the impact of early detection. Early identification leads to early intervention. Even if the hearing loss is mild, delaying diagnosis can lead to late development of speech and language, learning problems and social, emotional and behavioral problems that often lead to low self-confidence. This leads to additional needed resources, such as speech/language therapy and special education resources. Most children who are diagnosed during infancy and who receive early intervention services are mainstreamed into the regular classroom setting.
3. Be aware of the options. There are several methods for testing hearing and/or middle ear function in infants, toddlers and children. All tests are very safe and will not hurt your child. Each test checks a different part of the ear, so your child may have all of them as part of the evaluation.
4. Screen often for early detection. There are certain ages when children should have their hearing tested from infancy through adolescence and even into adulthood. Be sure that your child is having their hearing tested at school at certain ages or call 704-384-7434 to arrange a hearing screening.
5. Find resources. If you are concerned that your child may have difficulty hearing or understanding or may be experiencing speech or language delays, call 704-384-7434 to schedule a hearing test. If it is determined your child needs a hearing aid, they will be fitted with an aid to test out for a trial period of 60 days to ensure it is the best fit for him or her.
To schedule a hearing screening with a licensed audiologist, call 704-384-7434.
