Identifying Hearing Loss in Children

-File Photo

By Alanna M. Windsor, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Montefiore Health System

Manhattan Voice

June 14, 2023

HEALTH - Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, but it requires special care and consideration when it affects babies and children. Hearing problems in children can lead to delays in speech and language development as well as academic and social difficulties. Therefore, timely evaluation, diagnosis and treatment is especially important when a hearing impairment is suspected in a child of any age.

Most hearing impairment in children is caused by ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear after a cold (called otitis media). In fact, by the age of 3, most children will have had at least one ear infection—and often many more. In addition to hearing loss, symptoms of otitis media can include ear pain, fevers, fussiness, ear tugging/ear pulling, or drainage of fluid from the ear. If your child experiences these symptoms, the first step is to speak with your pediatrician; depending on your child’s age and symptoms, treatment for otitis media could include antibiotics or watchful waiting.  The hearing loss in these cases is usually mild and gets better after treatment or with time. Occasionally, otitis media does not resolve, in which case, your child may need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. 

Rarely, some children can be affected by more severe, or permanent types of hearing loss. This can be something that they were born with, or a condition that develops later in childhood. Certain children are at higher risk for these types of hearing loss, including children who were born prematurely or spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as infants; children who have close relatives with hearing loss at a young age; children with a history of meningitis, a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; and children with a history of head trauma or exposure to certain medications. 

Babies born in hospitals in the United States are screened for hearing loss at birth, but hearing should continue to be monitored throughout childhood. Infants and children may not be able to tell you when they can’t hear well, but they can show other signs. These can include:

• Not reacting to loud sounds in the environment (for example, not startling or turning their head toward noises)
• Delays in speech or speech that is difficult to understand
• Not repeating sounds made by others
• Not responding to being called by name
• Not following simple instructions or frequently asking for repetitions (“What?” “Huh?”)
• Turning the TV or radio volume up very high
• Falling behind in school or experiencing frustration in social situations (especially in noisy environments)

If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, discuss it with your pediatrician as soon as possible. Your child’s ears will need to be checked and a hearing test will be performed. Sometimes, hearing problems can be as simple as an earwax blockage—but it is important to be evaluated to make sure there’s not something more serious going on. The process of speech and language development relies on our hearing abilities, and this is particularly critical during the early years of infancy and toddlerhood—so early diagnosis of hearing problems is crucial! 

At Montefiore, our team of pediatric ear, nose, and throat doctors and audiologists (hearing health professionals) specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of hearing issues of all causes in children. Our team of experts provides comprehensive and individualized care to each child and offers the full range of medical and surgical treatment options for hearing loss. Please reach out to our team if you are concerned about your child’s hearing, we are here to help.