Most kids born with hearing loss are from parents with regular hearing. This means that the family will need to learn a lot about living with the disability. The impact of hearing loss on your child’s life is quite vast. It can affect the kid’s ability to develop language, speech, and social skills. It’s essential to learn more about the condition, as well as possible treatments. Here’s all you need to know about hearing loss in children.
Causes
Some of the common causes of childhood hearing loss include:
Otitis Media
This ear infection often occurs only in younger kids because the eustachian tubes (the tubes that link the nose to the middle ear) aren’t formed fully. Fluid develops at the back of the eardrum and can become infected. In long-lasting and severe cases, otitis media can result in full-time hearing loss.
Complications At Birth
Some kids are born with major hearing problems. Oftentimes, they’re linked to the child’s genes. While other times, it occurs during pregnancy or prenatal care. Hearing loss in children can also occur when a pregnant woman is suffering from a medical condition, such as preeclampsia or diabetes.
Injury or Illness:
Young kids can suffer from hearing loss as a result of some major illnesses, such as measles, encephalitis, chicken pox, measles, the flu, meningitis, and even pediatric MS. Severe head injuries, certain medications, and extremely loud noises can also impair your child’s hearing. Learn more about MS and hearing loss, along with other less common causes of hearing loss.
Symptoms
As a parent, you should be the first to notice that your child is finding it hard to pick up sounds. Here are some early symptoms of hearing loss to help you out:
- Zero reaction to loud sounds
- Zero response to voices
- Your child regularly makes simple sounds that fade
A child suffering from otitis media might also:
- Rub or pull an ear
- Be occasionally cranky for no apparent reason
- Have a lack of energy
- Not comprehending directions
- Request for the radio or TV to be louder
- Have ear pain
- Have a fever
If you notice any of these symptoms in a child, contact a doctor immediately.
Treatments
Early loss of hearing can impact a child’s ability to learn languages, which professionals believe begins in the first months after birth. However, if these hearing issues get treated early, children can avoid having problems with learning. The proper treatment for any child with hearing loss depends on how much they cannot hear and what started the problem. Treatments for children suffering from hearing loss include:
Hearing Aids
Children as young as one month old can begin using hearing aids. A professional audiologist will assist you in getting the appropriate device. A lot of care goes into using hearing aids to avoid their problems.
Implants
Children and adults often get cochlear implants. These are electronic devices that are placed inside the ear to assist with hearing. They are used for children with severe hearing loss after hearing aids have failed.
Medications
A pediatrician might also prescribe some antibiotics for your child to help eradicate hearing loss.
Getting the help your child needs in these circumstances can be quite difficult. However, with proper education on the condition, enough support, and early treatment, you can help your child play, learn, and fit in with other children their age.
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