As such, auditory health may be lower on your radar than other health and wellness concerns. In addition, many of the signs of pediatric hearing loss are confused with learning or behavioral issues. Thankfully educators are increasingly aware of what to look for.
Let’s explore what parents should be looking for too, and what to do if your child is displaying signs of hearing loss.
What Are the Signs of Hearing Loss in Children?
We often equate hearing loss with deafness, but deafness is on the far end of the spectrum of auditory processing disorders. It’s easy to think that if your child can hear you when you speak that their hearing is sound. However, you cannot hear precisely what your child hears. Your child could be struggling for clarity of sound while being able to hear you at home.
Signs of Pediatric Hearing Loss
- When you ask your child a question, they often provide an unrelated answer.
- Your child has a difficult time following auditory instructions but can easily follow written instructions.
- You frequently think your child is ignoring you when you speak to them from across the room but look sincerely shocked when they realize you are speaking to them.
- Your child listens well at home but is often distracted, confused, or uninvolved when out of the house.
- Your child shakes their head, pulls at their ears, rubs their ears, or says their ears are itchy, buzzing, or ringing.
- Your child frequently asks “what” or states that they did not hear what you, the teacher, or other students said.
- Your child has a delayed response to group instruction and looks to other children to determine what to do next.
- Your child does not participate much in group conversations or has a decreased interest in group activities.
- Your child often asks if you can turn up the TV or music.
How Does Hearing Loss Affect Your Child’s Academic Performance?
As you can see, many of the symptoms above are mistaken for age-appropriate behavior and children learning to assert their independence. On the flip side, these same symptoms can be misconstrued for disrespectful classroom behavior, learning disabilities, and behavioral disorders.
School-Aged Children and Hearing Loss: The Academic, Social, and Emotional Impact
- Struggling to hear words and misinterpreting words can delay vocabulary expansion.
- A decreased vocabulary can lead to difficulty expressing thoughts verbally and in writing.
- If a child cannot adequately hear, their grammar and comprehension may be below their grade level.
- Misinterpreting verbal instructions can lead to lower academic performance.
- The inability to hear can make it difficult to make friends or engage in group activities.
- Constant communication frustrations can lead to low self-esteem, isolation, and behavioral issues.
How Can I Help If My School-Aged Child Has Hearing Loss?
If your child failed their most recent at-school hearing evaluation or their teacher suspects hearing loss, it is time to visit an Audiologist for a comprehensive pediatric hearing test. If your child passed their latest at-school evaluation but is experiencing the symptoms above without any other discernable cause—it is a good idea to have their hearing tested.
School Age Child and Hearing Loss: More Common Than You Think
Nearly 15% of 6 to 19-year-olds have low-frequency or high-frequency hearing loss. The most recent advances in auditory technology are impressive. From high-tech hearing aids to cochlear implantation, managing chronic ear infections, and taking a proactive approach to auditory health.
Top Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
- Head trauma
- Chronic middle ear infections
- Head trauma
- Illness
- Noise exposure/headphone use
- Family history/genetics
- A variety of health conditions
Why Headphone Volume Matters?
The most prevalent cause of school-aged noise exposure is headphones and earbuds. While personal listening devices control the volume (and peace) at home, in the car, and in the classroom—the increased frequency of use increases the likelihood of permanent auditory damage. If you can hear what your child is listening to from a few feet away, their headphones are most certainly too loud. However, this is an insufficient measurement.
Instead, estimate appropriate headphone volume by whether your child can still hear you with their headphones on if you are speaking to them from an arm’s length away. Explain to your child that the volume should be conversational. Be mindful that loud external volume causes children (and adults) to increase the volume. Volume may be also be increased to better enjoy music, games, videos, or entertainment.
What About Kid-Safe Headphones?
Although labeled “kid-safe”, not all headphone brands ensure the decibels do not go above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended maximum of 80 decibels. Even if headphones do not rise above 80 decibels, be mindful that WHO also suggests a maximum of 40 hours of headphone use per week.
To protect your child’s auditory health, consider investing in custom hearing protection designed for headphones and earbuds. These options are available in fun color combinations that encourage your kids to wear them.
In Need of a Pediatric Hearing Evaluation in or Around Staten Island?
If you suspect your school-aged child has hearing loss or you want to assess your child’s auditory health beyond a standard physical—schedule an appointment with Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro of Audiology Island.
In addition to being a skilled audiologist, Dr. Shapiro has the patience and bedside manner to ensure children are comfortable during their evaluation.
