It’s natural for parents to worry about every stage of their child’s development. But one often overlooked issue concerns infant hearing problems.
Doctors often advise parents who suspect their child has hearing issues to wait between six and twelve months before taking action.
At Audicles, we know that every single sound they hear before the age of two matters, and without a correct diagnosis, a child may suffer during this period.
Here are some of the early signs that a child might have a hearing problem:
Reduced alertness
One sign that very young children may be experiencing a hearing loss is that they don’t react to everyday sounds in their environment.
For example, if the phone rings or someone knocks on the door, a child with a hearing impairment wouldn’t act startled or seem aware of it.
Similarly, if you go outside for a walk and your child doesn’t register a dog barking or traffic noises, it could indicate that they need to see an audiologist.
Word formation
Another sign that a child may have a hearing loss is they have problems saying and forming words at an age when it’s expected.
For example, instead of asking for individual items of food when they’re hungry, they might point to where it’s stored and then grunt to attract a parent’s attention.
They might also make no attempt to communicate at all and simply take items without asking. Once you recognize these things, it’s best to seek the advice of a professional audiologist.
Behavioral problems
Often a child’s hearing problem doesn’t become obvious until they’ve started school. This can be highlighted if they have trouble interacting within a classroom environment.
Children who are disruptive are regularly mislabeled as having behavioral problems, when actually, they’re simply struggling to hear what’s taking place around them.
Before assuming a child has a social issue, it’s best to consult an audiologist to see whether they can find a possible hearing loss.
Specialists in child hearing
At Audicles, we’re passionate about ensuring that each and every child has the best hearing possible, and we understand how difficult these issues can also be on their families.
We have doctors with specific backgrounds in pediatric audiology and know how to expertly treat children who have a range of medical issues.
If you suspect your child has a hearing problem at any stage in their development, we’ll take the time needed to find out exactly what’s troubling them.
Worried that your child has a hearing loss? Want to find out more? Now is a great time to book an appointment with an expert. Contact us today to request a callback!
