Warning signs of hearing loss in kids

Aug 6 2009

When you think back on your childhood, chances are there's a rich montage of sights and sounds that comes to mind. But, imagine if you couldn't have heard the ding of the ice cream truck or the sound of a barking dog – how would that have impacted the experiences of your youth?

Unfortunately, an increasing number of children are unnecessarily missing out on these cherished sounds. So, in honor of International Youth Day, which takes place on August 12th, Miracle-Ear, a hearing solution provider, is urging parents to take note of some of the telltale signs of hearing loss in children.

"Untreated hearing loss among young people has been shown to lead to a host of social, emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties," said Rebecca Younk, audiologist for Miracle-Ear. "Fortunately, however, the earlier a child's hearing impairment is detected, the sooner treatment can begin and quality of life can be restored."

Younk recommends adults keep their eyes open for the following warning signs:

• Performance/Behavioral Issues in School – Sound plays a major role in speech and language development, so delays in these areas may signify a hearing impairment.
• Lack of Response – Be sure to take note of children who are not startled by intense sounds or do not respond to someone who is talking out of view.
• General Confusion – Don't dismiss your child's frequent use of "huh?" or "what?" as just disinterest. This type of commonplace confusion can be a sign that the child can't fully dial in to sounds and speaking.
• Constant Adjustments – Children who have trouble hearing make a habit of sitting close to the television or turning up music, even when it's at a level others can hear.

http://www.miracle-ear.com/