Help for parents of children with hearing loss
Most children with
hearing loss are born to parents with normal hearing. This means that the whole
family can learn a lot about living with this condition.
You may find that
your child has hearing loss at birth, or the diagnosis may be made later in
childhood. In any case, the most important thing is to get the right treatment
as soon as possible. By better understanding this condition, you can give your
child the support they need to learn, play, and keep up with other children
their age.
Causes
Causes of hearing
loss in children include:
- Otitis media. This middle ear infection often occurs in young
children because the tubes that connect the middle ear to the nose, called the
Eustachian tubes, are not yet fully formed. Fluid accumulates behind the
eardrum and can become infected. Even if there is no pain or infection, the
fluid can affect hearing if left there, at least for a short time. In severe
and prolonged cases, otitis media can lead to permanent hearing loss.
- Problems at birth. Some children are born with hearing problems. In most
cases, they are associated with the genes of the child. In other cases, it
occurs during pregnancy or during prenatal care. Hearing loss can also occur
when a pregnant woman has a medical condition such as diabetes or preeclampsia.
A premature baby is also at greater risk.
- Illness or injury. Young children can lose their hearing after contracting
certain diseases, including meningitis, encephalitis, measles, chickenpox, and
the flu. Head trauma, very loud noises, and certain medications can also cause
hearing loss.
Symptoms
If your child was not
diagnosed with hearing loss at birth, you will probably be the first to notice
that they have trouble picking up sounds. Some early signs of a problem
include:
- No reaction to loud noises
- No response to your voice
- Your child makes simple sounds that taper off
A child with otitis
media may also:
- Pull or rub an ear
- Be constantly cranky for no clear reason
- Stop paying attention
- Have little energy
- Not understand directions
- Often ask for the TV or radio to be louder
- Have a fever
- Have ear pain
If you notice these
symptoms in your child, talk to your doctor.
How is it diagnosed
Many hospitals test
newborns for hearing before they go home. Others only test babies at risk for
hearing problems, such as those with deafness in the family. Treatment
Early hearing loss
can affect how a child learns language, which experts say begins in the first
few months of life. If problems are diagnosed and treated early, infants and
children can avoid language problems.
The right treatment
for a child who is deaf depends on what caused the problem and how much the
child is deaf.
The most common
treatments for otitis media include:
- Watchful waiting. The disease often resolves on its own, so sometimes the
first treatment is simply to watch for changes.
- Medications. Your pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics or other medicines for your child.
- Ear tubes.
If the problem persists and seems to be affecting your child's hearing, your
pediatrician may recommend that your child purchase these tubes. They allow
fluid to drain and may help prevent infections. If your pediatrician thinks
your child needs it, they will refer you to an otolaryngologist, also called an
otolaryngologist. Your child will need a minor operation to get the ear tubes
inserted. The hospital will give him medicine to help him sleep during the
operation, but he will be able to go home once the operation is over.
Other treatments for
children with hearing loss include:
- Hearing aids. Children can start using them as young as 1 month old.
The hearing care professional will help you make sure your child is getting the
right device.
- Implants. Many children and adults receive cochlear implants, which are electronic devices that doctors place in the inner ear to improve hearing. They are usually reserved for children who have severe hearing problems after hearing aids have failed.
Many other devices
can help children with hearing loss. Ask a hearing care professional what might
be right for your child.
How to get support
Children with hearing
loss have the right to support and education from birth to school years. Early
help can teach your child to communicate through speech, gestures, or a combination
of the two.
If your child needs
ongoing support at school, please contact school administrators to find out how
they can get it. As he grows, it is likely that his educational program will
need to adapt. Keep in touch with his teachers and other school professionals
to determine what he needs.
With early treatment
and support, children with hearing loss are more likely to learn how to
communicate and participate in school and other activities.
Here are some steps
you can take to help your child and yourself:
- Get educated. Websites and government and non-profit groups can help
keep you up to date with the latest research.
- Communicate. Connect with support groups and online discussion communities for parents of children with hearing impairments. They know what you are going through and can give you a lot of information, advice and understanding.
- Stay connected with your child. Some children with hearing impairments feel
isolated from other children their own age. But early treatment and hearing
aids can make them less likely to feel lonely.
- Take care of yourself and other relationships. Getting help for children can take a long time. But don't forget about your own well-being or the well-being of other people in your life. Make time for your spouse or partner, stay in touch with friends, and do what you love.