About 3 out of every 1000 babies are born with hearing problems. Estimates from other sources indicate that 15% of school students have hearing issues. Hearing loss from birth presents unique challenges for children and their families in terms of speech, language, social interaction, emotional well-being, and academic performance.

Here are some of the consequences of hearing loss in children:

Language & Speech Development

Children with untreated hearing loss often have difficulty acquiring language and speech. Their development may be delayed when compared to normal hearing children. Additionally, they may miss high-pitched consonants such as 's', 'sh', 't' and 'k' sounds in speech. When they don't hear these sounds, they can't imitate them correctly and this can cause articulation disorders such as plaque.

Academic performance

Hearing loss will make conversation and understanding difficult for children. This phenomenon is more severe in the school environment where children have difficulty learning due to the noisy classroom environment. In fact, the performance of children with hearing problems, if left untreated, is less than that of children with normal hearing. This will result in feelings of frustration and eventually the child may lose interest in learning.

Social & Emotion Development

Children with hearing loss may feel isolated or left out in social situations, especially if they have trouble understanding what is being said. This can affect their social development and interpersonal relationships. Hearing loss can also affect a child's emotional development. They may be angry, anxious, or frustrated by their inability to listen and communicate with others.

Types of Hearing Test for Children

There are various tests that can be used to determine if a child has a hearing problem. The type of test used depends on the age of the child as well as their level of physical and cognitive development. For newborns, the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test is usually used in hearing screening. The AABR test estimates a child's hearing level by measuring the activity of neurons through electrodes placed on the scalp. It is usually done when they are sleeping. Some hospitals may prefer to use the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test in hearing screening. If the children pass this stage, they can be taken home. However, if they fail the hearing screening, they will usually be referred to a specialist for further management.

For children aged between 6 months and 2 years, the Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) test is used. VRA is a procedure where children are taught to turn their heads in response to sound. This test aims to find the lowest sound level that elicits a response, known as the hearing threshold. Typically, children are expected to have a hearing threshold at or better than 15 dB HL. This level allows children to receive the full spectrum of speech sounds and encourages language development. To perform this test, children need to have the ability to sit without head support.

Once they reach the age of 2 years, children can undergo Play Audiometry, where they are required to perform simple tasks in response to sounds. For example, they may need to place toys into a container as a response to sounds from headphones or speakers. This test helps audiologists provide an accurate diagnosis of the level and type of hearing problem. Once the hearing issue is confirmed, hearing aids can be adjusted for the child based on the hearing thresholds obtained from the hearing test.

Treatment for Hearing Issues

Treatment for hearing problems depends on the extent and cause of the hearing loss. Interventions consist of hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech therapy, and listening exercises. Given that hearing loss is not often caught by parents, it is important that all children are tested to ensure they have access to treatment.

The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) is an organization that provides guidelines to assist children who are deaf or hard of hearing. According to JCIH 2019, children should undergo hearing screening before 1 month of age, and those who do not pass should receive diagnostic testing by 3 months at the latest. By 6 months, infants with hearing issues should receive appropriate intervention.

Early identification of hearing problems in children is crucial for their speech and language development. Early intervention ensures they can keep pace with the developmental milestones of their hearing peers, which is essential if parents wish to enroll them in mainstream schools. Therefore, parents and health officials must be proactive in detecting and treating hearing problems in children as soon as possible. Visit this page or contact us at 1800-88-2032 if you would like to get a hearing test for your child today. Don't wait any longer, as every moment counts.

Patrick Seow, Clinical Audiologist at 20dB Hearing