Hearing loss in children: What you need to know

Nothing can quite prepare us for a serious health problem or condition, particularly when it comes to our children.

Hearing difficulty or loss can be particularly baffling and frustrating for parents – if you can’t communicate properly with them, how are you to know what they are feeling or thinking?

The important thing to remember, however, is that there are professionals and services who can help you and your child. And with some basic points of information, the process of diagnosing and dealing with your child’s condition doesn’t have to be so daunting.

Getting diagnosed:

If you are concerned that your child may have hearing difficulty or loss, you need to investigate the situation. The best option is to book a hearing assessment for your child, with a Paediatric Diagnostic Audiologist.

Once your child’s assessment has been booked, it’s best to do a little preparation in advance. Make a note of your concerns and any questions you may have, and bring a trusted friend or loved one with you for moral support. At the appointment, share any questions with your child’s audiologist.

After listening to your concerns, the audiologist will explain what is going to happen during the assessment in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They will then carry out an age-appropriate assessment, providing feedback as well as a list of resources for your own reference.

How you can deal with the diagnosis:

While your child’s assessment results can be overwhelming, it’s important to know that there is plenty you can do to help them and the family with the next step.

Many parents will agree that this can be an overwhelming time, so it’s helpful to know who and where you can turn to for support.

The first step is to find out as much information about your child’s diagnosis as possible – talk to professionals who can advise you and point you in the right direction with regards to resources.

Fellow parents of children with hearing loss can also prove to be an incredible source of both information and support.

You should also familiarise yourself with the figures who will play a key role in your child’s treatment and development. These include:

Ear, nose and throat consultant

This is a professional who specialises in health and surgical treatment. Along with the audiologist, the ENT will explain any underlying medical causes of hearing loss.

Speech and language therapist

This therapist will assess and diagnose your child’s condition, and promote communication through developing their speech and language skills.

Paediatrician

Once an infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, the audiologist will make a referral to the relevant paediatrician. They will then carry out an evaluation, to determine whether there is an identifiable cause for your child’s condition.

Visiting teacher

This individual is a qualified teacher with specialist skills and knowledge. They will serve as the main point of contact at school for parents, advising and liaising with the lead coordinator.

How you can help your child:

Treatment and assessment aside, there are certain steps we can take on a daily basis to help our child through what can often be a frustrating and challenging time.

It’s helpful to bear the following expert advice in mind:

Ensure you have your child’s attention before starting to speak
Don’t speak too fast
Face your child so they are able to pick up on visual clues and body language
Use familiar language
Don’t shout at your child – your speech can become distorted
Don’t turn away from your child – instead, find a suitable place to talk
Don’t cover your mouth, speak clearly, and use normal lip movements as well as natural facial expressions and gestures.

Where to test?

It’s important to ensure that you are bringing your child to a trusted testing centre with top-of-the-range facilities. Not only will this make the experience easy on your little one, but you can also rest assured that you’re getting the most efficient consultation possible.

For example, Audiology Medical Services specialises in paediatric hearing testing, and is the only centre in Ireland to use state-of-the-art multi-sensory booths. Purpose-built for paediatric hearing testing (unlike other centres, who simply use adult versions), these multi-sensory booths provide the most accurate assessment possible, for children of all ages, in a family-friendly atmosphere.