Hearing loss can affect children as young as 6, with about 12% experiencing noise-induced hearing loss. Early detection and intervention are crucial for normal language development, as those identified with hearing loss before six months of age show better language skills. Parents play a vital role in noticing signs of hearing loss and should seek medical advice promptly for early screenings and treatment.

1.
Hearing
Aid
Company
of
Texas
| (361)
356-­‐4003
| http://hearingaidcompany.com
Discover more great content here:
http://twitter.com/hearingaidco
http://www.facebook.com/HearingAidCompanyOfTexas
http://www.youtube.com/hearingaidcompany
http://www.pinterest.com/hearingaidtexas
The Shocking Truth About Hearing Loss and Young
Children
Hearing loss can happen at any age. In fact, nearly 12 percent of kids age 6 through
19 have noise induced hearing loss according to the American Academy of
Audiology. The birth defect occurring most frequently in our country is hearing loss.
According to the American Speech and Language Association, that number
translates to around 12,000 kids each year who are born with hearing loss.
Hearing loss could delay language
development. – Language development in
the brain of children is at its highest level
between age 0 and 3. Hearing is vital to
normal speech development because this
process begins in young children with the
ability to listen. Language skills are vital in
order for kids to go on to learn how to read
effectively.
Childhood hearing losses aren’t necessarily lifelong. - Hearing loss could be a
temporary problem in some children resulting from issues such as ear wax
occluding the middle ear, or ear infections. Early intervention such as minor surgery
or medical treatment could reverse temporary hearing loss in some instances. Ear
infections left untreated could cause permanent hearing loss, so be sure to seek
medical attention right away when there is a possibility of ear infections.
Language development is positively impacted by early intervention. – Early
detection is vital. When hearing loss is caught early, children’s language skills
develop normally. Due to earlier treatment, infants whose hearing loss was detected
at age 6 months or younger proved to develop better language skills than kids
whose hearing impairment wasn’t discovered until after 6 months of age.

2.
Hearing
Aid
Company
of
Texas
| (361)
356-­‐4003
| http://hearingaidcompany.com
Discover more great content here:
http://twitter.com/hearingaidco
http://www.facebook.com/HearingAidCompanyOfTexas
http://www.youtube.com/hearingaidcompany
http://www.pinterest.com/hearingaidtexas
Some hearing loss can be prevented. – It may be surprising to note that noise
related hearing loss is 100 percent avoidable. Protect your kids’ ears with ear
plugs and/or earmuffs and turn down the volume on the stereo, television, game
systems and MP3 player to avoid noise related hearing loss in your children and
teens.
Parents are often times the first to identify early signs of hearing loss in
young children. - Parents are many times the first to notice symptoms of hearing
loss in infants such as: no reaction to noises made by toys or not making babbling
sounds like normal infants. When babies are nine months or older you should notice
that they understand and respond to basic requests and mimic sounds and noises
made by others. For a more in depth list of normal milestones for babies and young
children to assess possible hearing loss, ask your hearing specialist or audiologist.
Be sure to find out about recommended screenings as well.