For children, hearing loss is defined as having hearing loss greater than 15 decibels.
Currently, over 43 million people (12 to 35 years old) live with disabling hearing loss. Approximately two to three out of every 1,000 children experience hearing loss in or both ears. For young people between the ages of 6 and 19, 15% experience hearing loss. In newborns, 50% of hearing loss cases are caused by genetic factors.
Acquired hearing loss occurs after birth, at any time in a child’s life. Hearing loss may occur due to many factors, such as ear infections, chicken pox, head injury, measles, meningitis, and influenza. It also occurs due to exposure to loud noise.
According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association, pediatric hearing loss cases have grown from 13.2 million in 1971 to 24.2 million in 1993.
Causes of Pediatric Hearing Loss
Pediatric hearing loss may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired.
Either form may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.
Congenital hearing loss may be caused by genetic factors, birth complications, premature birth, a nervous system or brain disorder, the use of ototoxic medication by the mother during pregnancy, infections experienced by the mother during pregnancy (herpes simplex, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, etc.), maternal diabetes, or drug/alcohol abuse during pregnancy.
Acquired hearing loss may be caused by a perforated eardrum, otosclerosis or Meniere’s disease, infection (meningitis, measles, mumps), ototoxic medication, head injury, exposure to loud noise, otitis media (ear infections), or exposure to second-hand smoke.
Signs of Hearing Loss in Children
Generally speaking, infants from birth to four months should startle at loud sounds, wake up or stir at loud sounds, respond to your voice by smiling or cooing, and calm down at a familiar voice. From four to nine months, infants should smile when spoken to, notice toys that make sounds, turn their heads toward familiar noises, make babbling noises, and understand hand motions.
Toddlers and preschool-aged children may have hearing loss if they have difficulty understanding what people are saying, speak differently than other children of their age, do not reply when you call their name, respond inappropriately to questions (misunderstanding), turn up the volume very high on TV and other devices, and have speech or language delays in articulation.
Hearing Loss Prevention
Hearing loss, once it occurs, is permanent and irreversible.
Most young people do not consider their hearing health as they are enjoying their music and media.
Sit down with your child or teen and discuss the long-term effects of regular exposure to loud noise. Share with them the options for ear protection and tips to minimize their exposure to loud noise daily.
Preventing hearing loss is just as important as treating it. Consider using noise-canceling headphones rather than earbuds as earbuds can expose your child’s ears to dangerous noise levels. Additionally, monitor the use of personal electronic devices connected to headphones. Hearing specialists recommend listening to music or media at 60% of the volume, for no more than 60 minutes. Consider getting customized ear protection for your child, especially if you frequently attend live music or live sporting events.
Treating Pediatric Hearing Loss
Pediatric hearing loss is most commonly treated with the prescription of hearing aids.
Hear Freely. Laugh Heartily. Live Fully.
Hearing | Tinnitus | Pediatrics
