Hearing Loss in Children
Hearing loss isn’t just a condition that plagues the older generation; children of all ages in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the country can experience a loss of hearing. More babies than you might think have hearing loss, roughly three out of every 1000 babies are born with it.
Hearing loss is also on the raise in adolescents; this increase is attributed to noise-induced hearing loss caused by the use of personal music players. If you suspect your child is having difficulty hearing, schedule an appointment with their Las Vegas audiologist as soon as possible.
Delaying identification and treatment can have a significant effect on a child’s learning and development.
How do you know when it’s time to schedule a visit with your child’s audiologist? There are a number of signs that should prompt you to have their hearing tested. These include:
- A delay in speech and language.
- Failure to respond to loud noises or your voice.
- Poor academic performance.
- Frequent ear infections.
- Disorders associated with hearing loss (i.e. Down syndrome or autism).
- Family history of hearing loss.
Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
There are three main causes of hearing loss in children. Congenital factors contribute to children who are born with hearing problems as a result of genetic issues, prenatal problems or premature birth.
Otitis media (ear infection) is a very common childhood ailment that occurs when fluid accumulates in the middle ear. This can cause difficulty hearing and, in severe cases, may lead to permanent hearing damage. Acquired hearing loss is triggered by illnesses, physical trauma, exposure to loud noises and medications.
Just like there are many causes of loss of hearing, there are many options for treatment. Your child’s Las Vegas audiologist will base their treatment plan on your child’s type and degree of loss. A wait-and-see approach may be taken if they are suffering from otitis media; chronic cases may be treated with medications or ear tubes that are inserted surgically and allow fluid to drain from the ears. Permanent hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices that enable a child to communicate.
The earlier you acknowledge your child has a problem and seek help, the less chance there is of your child experiencing speech or learning difficulties as the result of a hearing impairment. If you think your child may be experiencing hearing loss, now is the time to act. Schedule an appointment with their Las Vegas audiologist today.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.