Children with hearing loss

Give your child with hearing loss the best support - learn how you can support and help in their everyday life.

How common is hearing loss?

32 million children around the world are affected with hearing loss. Approximately 1.4 to 5 out of every 1000 children are born with hearing loss; 60% of these cases are due to preventable causes.

Childhood hearing loss is often identified during newborn hearing screenings that are performed 24-48 hours after birth. However, some children who pass these screenings show signs of loss as they grow older. 1.1 billion people between the ages of 12-35 are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to noise in recreational settings with 12.5% having permanent damage.

Hearing loss and development

Research supports that hearing is essential to speech and language development, communication and learning. Children with hearing loss are at risk for developmental delays in areas of receptive and expressive communication skills. Children with hearing loss often experience learning difficulties, reduced academic achievement and difficulties with communicating and socializing with their family and peers.

Every word matters

Hearing is especially important for children, who are developing the skills they need to learn and communicate. Children learn to talk by listening to speech. Constant communication with your child can lead to better outcomes.

Immediate intervention required

Hearing loss should be addressed immediately after it is suspected and/or diagnosed. Continued exposure to speech, language and other stimuli in his or her environment is critical. Research shows early identification and intervention helps children with hearing loss develop language (spoken and/or signed) as well as their normal hearing peers and will ultimately have less impact on the child’s developmental milestones.

Hearing solutions

Early identification and intervention is critical and allows professionals to work with families to educate them on how to support their child’s communication and developmental needs. Your hearing care professional will assess your child’s hearing and guide you through the next steps. Depending on the type and severity of your child’s hearing loss, interventions may include a combination of the following:

Hearing aid technology– electronic device worn on the ear to amplify sound
Cochlear implants - surgically implanted devices that directly stimulate the auditory nerve in the inner ear with electrical stimulation
Speech therapy - therapeutic instruction designed to improve language development and communication.
Assistive hearing devices - technology that helps transmit sounds directly to a child’s hearing aids and/or cochlear implants

Helping your child succeed

There are many ways you can help your child be successful, including the following:

Actively participate and promote communication to your child. Establish routines around talking and reading books. Speak clearly and no further than 6 feet away.
Encourage your child to wear their hearing aids. Understand they may not want to wear them. Celebrate small successes until hearing aids are worn full time.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Carry extra batteries, utilize a hearing aid clip that attaches the hearing aid to their clothing and carry the audiologist’s contact information.
Reduce background noise whenever possible. Make it easier for your child to hear.
Consider using assistive listening devices such as a ReSound Micro Mic, ReSound Multi Mic or an FM system.