Expert Advice: How to Protect Your Child’s Hearing

Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital anomalies, with approximately three out of every 1,000 infants born with hearing loss and approximately 90% of deaf/hard of hearing children being born to parents with typical hearing.  Further, half of childhood hearing loss is present from birth and the other half is acquired.  But through early detection and intervention, effective treatment can be immediately initiated.  This is why regular hearing screenings and evaluations, beginning at or shortly after birth, are essential for all children. Timing is everything; it is never too early to determine how a baby hears.

Types of Tests

Arkansas Children’s Audiology department offers a complete range of audiological services.  There are a few different ways to reliably, safely measure hearing and ear health.  We make every effort to create a fun experience free from fears and tears!  The plan for testing is individually made for each child based on their age, abilities and/or unique needs. Caregivers are present at all times and are often even invited to participate when appropriate and helpful for the child.  Evaluations provided by the audiology department include: 

• Auditory brainstem response test (ABR): Commonly completed on infants or older children who are not developmentally ready for testing in a sound room, this test uses several electrodes to record the brain's response to sounds delivered through specialized earbuds.
• Behavioral audiological evaluation: Performed in a sound-treated room, this test measures degrees of hearing for different tones to determine whether a child can hear all the sounds at levels required for learning to listen and developing language.
• Newborn hearing screening: As the name suggests, this test is used to identify hearing loss shortly after birth. If your baby is referred for more testing, it does not necessarily mean they have hearing loss, but it is imperative to return for the additional screening before the child is 1 month old.
• Otoacoustic emissions test (OAE): This test reveals whether or not the hair cells of the inner ear are operating and involves placement of a small probe tip in the ear.
• Tympanometry test: Usually completed during a child’s visit for any audiological evaluation, this test measures the health of the eardrum and the middle ear space behind it.

Knowing the Signs of Hearing Loss

Early identification, aggressive intervention, and family involvement are important when a child experiences hearing loss. Even after passing the initial screening after birth, infants and children can still show signs of hearing loss as they grow. The best way to conclude if your child’s hearing is developing properly is by monitoring these important speech and hearing milestones:

• Birth to 3 months: Your child should startle at loud sounds and be soothed by voices or singing.
• 4 to 6 months: Your child should turn their eyes or head toward the sound and pay attention to toys that make noise.
• 7 to 11 months: your child should respond to their name being called and babble or imitate sounds.
• 1 to 4 years: Signs of hearing loss for children ages 1 to 4 years include a delay in speech and language development, pulling or scratching at their ears and a lack of attention when someone is talking.
• School-age children: Hearing loss in school-age children can be shown through difficulty with reading, academic struggles, social isolation and extreme fatigue after school.

How to Protect Your Child’s Hearing

It is important that your child receives routine hearing screenings, whether at school or with your primary care physician, and follows up any referred screening with a full evaluation. If your child ever has an ear infection, be sure to follow up with your primary care physician to detect any possible side effects on their hearing.

If your child is not showing signs of hearing loss as they grow, the best thing you can do as a parent is to teach them the proper ways to protect their hearing. Some of these include using protective gear around loud sounds, keeping the television and headphones at an appropriate listening level and avoiding the use of cotton swabs in the ear canal.