Does your child have hearing loss? It’s more common than you may first suspect.  While hearing loss is often associated with older adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 15% of school-age children and teens (ages 6-19) have some degree of hearing loss. 

Educational challenges of hearing loss

Hearing loss in an educational setting can have substantial issues with language acquisition in younger children and contribute to learning and reading difficulties throughout an educational experience. Hearing loss in school age children and adolescents reduces a person’s ability to hear sounds, causing language delays. A recent study highlighted the connection between hearing loss and reading difficulties in children. By identifying the signs of hearing loss early, you can avoid lifelong impacts to education, language and connection.

Link Between Hearing Loss &  Reading Challenges

Studies show that children with hearing loss are more likely to experience learning difficulties including reading comprehension. A recent study explored the relationship between 195 students, ages 8-10, who experienced reading challenges. The study reported that 29 students had a history of recurring ear infections while 36 students had dyslexia.  Within the study, tests were administered to evaluate reading and writing skills as well as speech comprehension. At the 18 month mark, these relationships were revisited to assess hearing capacities by conduction hearing test. The key takeaway from these studies found that: 

• 25% of the children were experiencing mild or moderate hearing loss that them, their guardians and instructors were not aware of.
• 9 of the 36 children with dyslexia and one-third of the students with recurring ear infections were experiencing some degree of hearing loss. 

This study show hearing loss’ effect on a person’s ability to learn and succeed in an educational setting. The researchers reported that hearing obstacles caused issues with the comprehension of speech sounds, spoken language perception, and grammatical word structure. 

 Recognizing Signs of Hearing Loss 

Part of the problem with hearing loss is that it can be present for years, while undetected by you and those who are close to you. This is because it can often occur subtly over many years. As sounds become lost, your brain compensates and rationalizes the loss. As this study shows, this in no way minimizes the loss. When hearing loss goes unaddressed and undetected it can not only affect a child’s ability to learn and read, but it can affect relationships, decrease alertness, and add to behavioral outbursts. This was illuminated in the study, in the manner in which guardians and teachers were completely unaware that their kids were experiencing hearing loss. The study found that this pertained to 25% of the kids in the study who navigated undiagnosed hearing loss. To understand if some degree of hearing loss is present in your child, look for these signs:

• If your child asks you to repeat words or sentences, this is the most common and obvious sign. 
• If your child reports a buzzing in the ears (Tinnitus) it can indicate noise induced hearing loss
• Trouble hearing over the phone or the need to increase the volume of the TV to hear
• Slow reaction time to sounds, especially for children in the midst of language acquisition.
• The instructor reports your child is experiencing learning difficulties in the classroom. 
• Speech, learning, and vocabulary development delays. 
• Issues following directions. 
• Behavioral issues in the classroom could indicate trouble focusing on the materials due to hearing issues.

Diagnosing & Treating Hearing Loss

These symptoms can be mild to more profound depending on the degree of hearing loss. It’s important to fully understand their extent by scheduling a hearing exam. A hearing exam can test the lowest threshold your child can hear. This will determine the full extent of a hearing loss if present. It will also give us the information to determine the best course of action in addressing a hearing loss. The most common treatment for children with hearing loss are hearing aids. These electronic devices can be programed to amplify the frequencies your child struggles to hear so they can excel at school and in their home and social life. To find out more if hearing aids are right for you and your family, contact us today to set up a pediatric hearing exam and give your child the advantage they need to truly excel.