As mums, we are naturally in tune with our children – after all, we spend almost every day with them, so we’re the first ones to notice if something is up, especially if it’s a particular health ailment.
While it’s natural for our little ones to zone out every now and then (especially if they have been up to mischief!), it’s important to be vigilant to existing or potential hearing problems – and how to deal with them.
If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, you need to act; and there are a number of steps to take, to figure out what’s going on with your little one and how you can deal with it.
1. Look for the signs
3. Choose the right testing centre
4. Get involved in your child’s assessment
5. Review your visit, and don’t be afraid to ask for help
The first step is to try and figure out if there is a problem, and while an audiologist will be able to confirm this, there are some signs that will help you ahead of an assessment.
Your child may have difficulty hearing if they have one or more of the following:
- Failure to startle or wake to loud sounds
- Delayed and/or inappropriate speech recognition
- Frequent ear infections
- People have to raise their voice consistently to get their attention
- The child responds inconsistently to sounds
- At any age, they watch the speaker’s face carefully
- The child turns their head so that one ear is facing the direction of the source
If you are feeling concerned after consulting the checklist above, then the next step is to book your little one in for a hearing test with an audiologist. Once you have made your appointment, there is some preparation work to be done, for yourself and your child.
Start by making a list of your concerns to ask the audiologist during the assessment. Bring these notes with you to your child’s appointment, as it will be handy for taking notes. If you’re feeling a little anxious about the assessment, why not bring your partner or another trusted family member along for moral support?
With so many different testing centres across the country, it’s important to choose the right one that will offer the best and most efficient care for your family.
Audiology Medical Services specialises in paediatric hearing testing for children of all ages, offering a family-friendly service with top-of-the-range equipment.
Audiology Medical Services is the only hearing test centre in Ireland that uses state-of-the-art multi-sensory booths. These booths are purpose-built for paediatric hearing testing, meaning they will deliver the most efficient test results for your child.
It’s always helpful to be prepared for any medical examination, and here is what you can expect from your child’s hearing assessment. First, the audiologist will ask you about your concerns and discuss them, explaining each aspect of the examination in terms that both you and your child can understand. Then, they will carry out a specially-designed and age-appropriate hearing assessment.
During your child’s appointment, take out your notebook and pen, and share your questions and queries with the audiologist – they will be only too happy to help you out. Be sure to ask them for clarification if there is anything you don’t understand, and ask for recommended resources – local organisations, websites and literature – for further help and reference.
Once your child’s assessment is over, and your audiologist has provided you with all the information you need, make sure you understand the diagnosis and what the next step is. Review your notes, making sure that everything makes sense, and don’t hesitate to contact your child’s audiologist if you have a query.
