The Mom Kind As a parent, wanting the best for your child is natural. Part of that means understanding how they are developing and growing so you can identify their needs early on. One need that parents often overlook is hearing impairment in children.
How Will I Know If My Child Has Trouble Hearing?
It can be challenging to tell if your child has a problem with hearing since young babies and toddlers often don’t communicate verbally and have limited speech skills. Still, there are signs that you can look out for as an indicator of potential trouble with hearing, especially if caught early on. Here are signs of possible hearing loss or impairment in infants and children.
Noticeable Lack of Reaction to Sounds
One of the first signs of hearing impairment in infants and young children is a noticeable lack of reaction to sounds. If your baby does not appear to startle or react when loud, sudden noises occur, it may indicate difficulty hearing. Pay attention to how your baby responds when you speak directly to them and see if they react as if they heard you.
You can also test your child’s hearing by clapping or ringing a bell near them to see if they startle and turn towards the sound. If they do not, it could indicate difficulty with hearing. Companies like HearCanada offer hearing tests to help identify if your child has trouble hearing even earlier. The earlier you catch any issues, the easier to treat and address them.
Speech Delay or Difficulty Understanding Language
Speech often develops at different rates for each child. However, suppose your child is not learning to speak at the same stage as other children their age or is having difficulty understanding language and speaking back even after reaching a particular milestone in speech development. In that case, it could be an indicator of hearing loss. If your child experiences either of these issues, consult with a specialist for a professional opinion. Hearing aids and other treatments can help address any hearing impairment that has been identified.
Ear Infections or Fluid Build-up in the Ears
Ear infections and fluid build-up are more commonly seen in young children than adults, but they can also indicate hearing difficulty in older children. If your child frequently has earaches, drainage from the ear, or persistent fluid build-up, it could be a sign of an issue with their hearing.
Ear infections can also cause temporary hearing loss in children, so if your child experiences recurrent infections, they must be checked out. Several hearing companies offer a range of services to help identify hearing issues and treatments and therapies for those needing them. The sooner you identify any hearing issues, the sooner you can get your child the help they need.
Abnormal Balance or Coordination
Body balance largely relies on our sense of hearing, and if a child has difficulty with hearing, it may be noticeable in their coordination or balance. If your child does not have the same level of balance or coordination as other children their age, it could indicate that they are having trouble hearing. It is important to note that other issues can cause difficulty with balance or coordination, so it is essential to consult with a specialist to identify the cause and take any necessary steps for treatment.
Does My Child Have Trouble Hearing?
Your child’s development relies heavily on their hearing ability, so watching for any indications of hearing impairment is essential. If you think your child may have difficulty with their hearing, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. Audiologists can help you identify any issues and provide the necessary treatments to ensure your child can develop normally and reach their full potential.
The Mom Kind
Alicia Trautwein is an Autism advocate, writer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mom of four. Alicia’s desire to advocate for Autism comes from her own autism diagnosis and that of her three children, niece, and brother. Her life’s mission is to educate on autism acceptance and change the world for future generations of autistic individuals.
