{"id":2422,"date":"2019-04-07T10:53:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T16:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southvalleyent.com\/blog\/?p=267"},"modified":"2023-11-15T09:37:22","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T16:37:22","slug":"identifying-hearing-loss-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southvalleyent.com\/identifying-hearing-loss-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Identifying Hearing Loss in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The ability to hear is really important for babies and young children. In the first few years of life they develop speech and language skills faster than at any other time. As recently as 30 years ago,  it wouldn\u2019t become obvious to caregivers that children had hearing impairment until they were around two years old \u2013 when it became obvious that they weren\u2019t yet talking.<\/span>
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<\/span>But today even newborns can be tested and treated for hearing loss. Research has demonstrated that detection and intervention for hearing loss before six months offers significantly better outcomes than later intervention. Hearing screenings for newborn children has become universal across the United States \u2013 children with hearing loss are identified and treated at a much younger age.<\/span>
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<\/span>Roughly 14 babies per 10,000 have a hearing loss, and fifty out of every 10,000 older children are impacted, with cases being diagnosed between ages 3 and 17. There are several possible causes for hearing loss in children \u2013 congenital and acquired. It’s important that parents, caretakers, physicians, teachers and others know the signs of hearing loss. If it remains undiagnosed, it can cause significant development and emotional problems for children. But diagnosing the problem can help children remain on track with language and developmental skills.<\/span>
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<\/span>Congenital hearing loss is present at birth. There are both non-genetic and genetic factors that cause congenital hearing loss. Genetic factors account for more than 50 percent of all hearing loss in children, whether present at birth or developed later in life. Non-genetic factors include birth complications, premature birth, brain disorders, certain medications, and infections. Drug or alcohol abuse by the mother and smoking during pregnancy are also risk factors.<\/span>
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<\/span>Hospitals routinely perform hearing screening on infants in the first hours after birth. If an infant fails the initial screening, he or she is usually scheduled for a second screening a few weeks later. Sometimes, infants who pass the hearing screening at birth may exhibit signs of hearing loss as they age.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to determine if your child\u2019s hearing is developing appropriately is by monitoring important speech and hearing milestones. From birth to four months, your infant should:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n