More than three million American children have a hearing loss and an estimated 1.3 million of them are under three years of age. Since the advent of universal newborn hearing screening which can detect a hearing loss immediately after a baby is born, many children are identified early. Hearing loss may also be discovered by parents and grandparents who spend time with infants.
If at any time you suspect your baby has a hearing loss, discuss it with your doctor. He or she may recommend evaluation by an otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon (ear, nose, and throat specialist) and additional hearing tests.
In order to diagnose hearing loss as early as possible, all children are screened for hearing loss by one month of age, should have a diagnostic audiological evaluation for hearing loss by three months of age and begin interventions, such as enrollment in early intervention and utilization of hearing aids by six months of age, according to early hearing detection and intervention guidelines.
Hearing loss can be temporary, caused by ear wax, middle ear fluid, or infections. Many children with temporary hearing loss can have their hearing restored through medical treatment or minor surgery.
However, some children have sensorineural hearing loss (sometimes called nerve deafness), which is permanent. Most of these children have some usable hearing, and children as young as three months old can be fitted with hearing aids.
Early diagnosis is crucial in the management of pediatric hearing loss. When diagnosis is delayed, there can be significant impact on speech and language development. Early fitting of hearing or other prosthetic aids and an early start on special education programs and interventions that support learning sign language and gaining access to visual communication can help maximize a child’s existing hearing and support early language development.