What may cause a hearing loss in a child?

Some types of hearing loss are identified at birth and some children may develop a hearing loss in childhood. It is important to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child’s hearing with your child’s Health Visitor or GP.

Some types of childhood hearing loss are permanent and some may be temporary.

Hearing loss in children is frequently caused by Glue Ear. Glue Ear is when a sticky fluid builds up in the middle ear (the part behind the ear drum). Glue Ear often clears up by its self. If it doesn’t, we will discuss different management options that will help your child.

A hearing loss affecting the inner ear or the nerve to the brain (sensorineural) is a permanent hearing loss. There are a number of reasons why a child may have a sensorineural hearing loss. The audiologist will discuss management options to ensure your child accesses speech sounds. The audiologist will also offer to refer your child to a paediatrician to discuss the reasons why they may have a permanent type of hearing loss.

Early intervention results in better outcomes for speech and language development and other important milestones.

A lack of response to sound; not startled by loud sounds, not babbling by 6 to 9 months, delayed speech development such as not producing one-word expressions at 12 to 18 months.

Frequently inattentive, fail to respond to conversation level speech, or answer inappropriately, difficulty learning, behavioural problems, or talking too loudly.