Hearing Loss in Children: Ideas For Prevention
There are a lot of external factors that can cause hearing loss. The best way to check if your child has hearing problems is with a childrens hearing test. Hearing loss is something that happens when a part of the ear is not working the way that it is supposed to. Below we’ll go over the most important signs so that you know what to look for, how it is diagnosed, how to prevent hearing loss, and what treatments are available to you.
The signs in babies and older children are slightly different. The signs of hearing loss in babies are that they do not get startled by loud noises, they stop turning around to sounds after they have become 6 months old, they do not start to say words like mum or dad by the time they have turned one, does not turn their head when you call their name but does when they see you, seems to hear some sound but not all sounds.
The signs in older children include delayed and unclear speech, inability to follow directions with ease and turning the volume on the TV or radio up very high. As a parent, you probably know which milestones to look for at certain ages, if these milestones are delayed you should get them checked out immediately.
Screen tests for hearing loss in children only take a few minutes to diagnose and the process is not very complicated, in fact, most babies sleep through the exam. If you have a newborn baby it’s important to get a hearing test in the first month. Most hospitals will do this for you, but if you have had a home birth, then you will need to take the child yourself. It is of utmost importance for babies to have a hearing test done as soon as possible. Older children should have their hearing tested before they start school or anytime you feel that it is necessary. You should also take your child to get tested as soon as you notice, the sooner that a professional can diagnose them, the sooner you can start the right treatment.
There are a few steps you can take to help in the prevention of hearing problems later on. Some of these steps include trying to have the healthiest pregnancy you can, you should also learn how to prevent the cytomegalovirus infection during your pregnancy. You should also make sure that your child gets all the vaccines they need during childhood. Another prevention step you can take is to make sure your child is protected from loud noises or music, and also keeping them away from loud toys. You should take all these steps to prevent any hearing loss and to keep your child healthy.
When it comes to your child’s hearing you should get them tested when they are born and before they start school. If you start to notice any of the symptoms listed above you should go to a testing clinic near you and immediately get them checked out by a doctor. These tests are painless and the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner your child can undergo the correct treatment.
You can easily find an audiologist near you that will perform a childrens hearing test. If you are unsure, you can do a quick online search to find an audiologist near your current location. Do not wait to get your children’s hearing checked out and book an appointment today.
