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These 5 Facts About Kids and Hearing Loss Might Astonish You  

Loss of hearing can occur during childhood, adolescents, or even at birth. According to experts at the Academy of Audiology, nearly 12% of younger kids from age 6 through the teen years have hearing loss resulting from noise. Of all birth defects, hearing loss presents itself more often than any other congenital defect in the United States. According to the American Speech and Language Association, that number translates to around 12,000 kids each year who are born with hearing loss.

Some hearing loss in kids can be reversible. - Children can experience hearing loss from many factors, some are reversible such as an ear infection or a build up of earwax in the middle ear. Early intervention such as minor surgery or medical treatment could reverse temporary hearing loss in some instances. Chronic (long term) ear infections could cause permanent hearing loss so be sure you seek

professional help early on if ear infections are suspected. Language development is positively impacted by early intervention. – Early detection is vital. When hearing loss is caught early, children’s language skills develop normally. Children whose hearing loss was identified before 6 months of age showed dramatic gains in language skill development compared to those diagnosed after 6 months of age. This difference was due to early treatment. Hearing loss could delay language development. – Children learn more about language from birth to 3 years of age than they do at any other time in life because during that time the brain is more receptive to learning language. Hearing is vital to

 

   

Harmony  Hearing  Centers  of  America  | (407)  329-­‐4885  | http://fixmyhearing.com  

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normal speech development because this process begins in young children with the ability to listen. In order for children to learn proper reading skills, they must first develop good language skills. Not all hearing loss is permanent. – There are types of hearing loss that are preventable, including noise related damage to the hearing. Using protective earplugs or earmuffs is a must for protecting kids from noise induced hearing loss. Also, parents should lower the volume on stereos and other electronics. Parents are often times the first to identify early signs of hearing loss in young children. - In many instances parents are the very first to notice something is not quite right in young kids with hearing loss. Signs to watch for include: response to music and making jabbering sounds. Around 9 months of age kids should be repeating back sounds and should also understand some simple phrases and commands. Be sure to ask your hearing specialist or audiologist for a more conclusive list of signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as his/her recommendation on when your child should have a professional hearing screening.