Being a kid is awesome; you don’t have to pay for gas or worry about buying the right car for your needs. Unfortunately, some very adult things can sneak into the world of snacks and bedtimes. Around the Katy, Texas area and throughout the United States, there is prevalent hearing loss in children. Roughly three out of 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss, and its prevalence is on the rise with adolescents.
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. Ear infections are a very common childhood ailment that occur when fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear. This condition can lead to 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.
If you suspect your child is having difficulty hearing, schedule an appointment with one of the audiologists at Today’s Hearing. Delaying treatment can have a strong effect on a child’s learning and development.
Get a Hearing Test
While taking your child in for a hearing test every few months would be one way to catch hearing loss early, most of us don’t really have the time of money (co-pays aren’t free) to do so. Katy audiologists recommend keeping an eye out for signs, as they may indicate it is time to bring your child in for a bring your child in for a hearing test. 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 (e.g., Down syndrome or autism).
- Family history of hearing loss.
If you notice any of these signs, contact a Brookshire area audiologist to schedule an appointment. Just like there are many causes of hearing loss, there are a number of treatment options available. First, your child’s audiologist will run a series of hearing tests to determine their type and degree of hearing loss.
Ear Infections Can Cause loss of Hearing
If your child’s hearing loss is caused by ear infections, their audiologist may take a wait-and-see approach; 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.
Hearing loss in children and adolescents in a time-sensitive issue. The longer it goes without being treated the more likely it is that your child could experience speech or learning difficulties. The time is now. If you think your child may be suffering from undiagnosed hearing loss contact Today’s Hearing in Katy to schedule an appointment today. Today’s Hearing serves West Houston, Fulshear, Brookshire located in Katy, Tx.