Hearing loss can happen when some part of the ear is not working as it should. This includes the inner ear, middle ear, outer ear, auditory system and hearing nerve.
When a child has hearing loss, it can cause problems with how they develop language, speech and social skills.
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What are the signs and symptoms of hearing loss?
Symptoms of hearing loss in babies can include:
- Not appearing to hear loud noises
- Not saying single words by age 1
- Not looking to see the source of a sound after age 6 months
- Only seeming to hear some sounds
Symptoms of hearing loss in children can include:
- Not following directions
- A delay in speech
- Unclear speech
- Turning up volume on TV or devices very high
- Often saying “What?”
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can have many causes and can happen at any point in a child’s life.
Generally, hearing loss can be grouped into three categories:
- Genetic causes: This is the most common reason for hearing loss in children. In some cases, hearing loss can run in families. A child may also be born with a syndrome that puts them at higher risk for hearing loss, such as Usher syndrome or Down syndrome .
- Acquired causes: This includes any cause of hearing loss that happens during or after birth. This can include:
- Injury or trauma to the ear or head
- Complications during birth
- Having ears or a head that is formed differently than usual
- Severe infection such as meningitis
- Unknown causes: For about 1 in 4 children with hearing loss, the cause is not known.
How is hearing loss treated?
Treatments for hearing loss may include both surgical and non-surgical options.
- Visual communication skills, such as sign language
- Hearing aids
- Surgery may correct some types of hearing loss
Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for hearing loss.