Baby failed hearing test in one ear
Did your baby fail her first hearing test?
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Lyndsey Frey - Writer
Hear this: Hearing loss is the most common sensory disability in newborns. Roughly 2 to 3 in 1,000 infants in this country are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
That’s why every state, including Ohio, has an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program for newborns. The goal is to ensure all infants receive a hearing screening before hospital discharge, or within their first 3 months of life, and receive intervention services before 6 months of age.
After all, your baby’s ability to hear is the basis of her ability to learn. Missed hearing loss may affect a child’s language development, school readiness and educational achievement, literacy levels and social-emotional development.
“A hearing problem that goes undetected can be a real detriment to a child,” said Dr. Marc Nelson, pediatric otolaryngologist and director of Akron Children’s Center for Hearing and Communicative Disorders. “It’s crucial babies receive treatment by 6 months of age for better outcomes in meeting speech milestones and assimilation to their environment. The earlier a hearing problem is addressed, the earlier a child can begin developing communication skills.”
My baby failed the newborn hearing test. Now what?
If your newborn fails her first hearing screening, she will be referred to a pediatric audiologist for a complete hearing evaluation. But don’t be alarmed, a failed first hearing test doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a permanent hearing impairment.
During birth, vernix can get trapped in the ear canal or fluid can get stuck in the middle ear. In addition, movement or crying during the test can influence the results.
Still, it’s important you follow up with an audiologist for diagnostic testing to confirm hearing levels.
If your baby passes follow-up testing and has no other risk factors for hearing loss, no treatment is necessary. Instead, your baby’s hearing will be routinely monitored at primary care well visits throughout childhood. If test results do indicate a hearing loss, your baby will be referred to a pediatric otolaryngologist.
In about half the cases of hearing loss, genetics are to blame. However, infections during pregnancy or complications after birth can cause hearing impairments. In other cases, hearing loss can be associated with other underlying conditions.
“Either way, hearing problems can be overcome if they’re caught early,” said Dr. Nelson. “In fact, many times outcomes can be equal to a child’s normal hearing peers.”
Hearing aids are the primary treatment for hearing loss. But if your baby’s hearing impairment is more severe, she may be a candidate for cochlear implantation, which is intended for patients who do not benefit from hearing aids. Instead of amplifying sounds, cochlear implants placed within the inner ear stimulate the auditory nerve, which carries these signals directly to the brain.
“The earlier the intervention and treatment, the better chance for spoken language,” said Dr. Nelson. “The end game is stimulation to that part of the brain. There’s a development window of opportunity in a child’s first 3 to 4 years of life. Improved access to sound stimulates development of the hearing portion of the brain (auditory cortex). Conversely, lack of auditory stimulation can lead to underdevelopment of these areas, and the negative effects on speech and hearing might be irreversible after that window of opportunity.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment at Akron Children’s Ear, Nose and Throat Center, call 330-543-4930.
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About Lyndsey Frey - Writer
Lyndsey Frey is a freelance writer based in Cleveland, Ohio. She specializes in blogging and content publishing, search engine optimization and social media marketing. Her work has been published online and in regional and national publications, such as Inside Business, Cleveland, Akron Life and Internet Retailer magazines.
Newborn Hearing Screening FAQs - HealthyChildren.org
Before you bring your newborn home from the hospital, your baby needs to have a hearing screening.
From birth, one important way babies can learn is through listening and hearing. Although most infants can hear fine, 1 to 3 of every 1,000 babies born in the U.S. have hearing levels outside the typical range.
Newborn screening and diagnosis helps ensure all babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are identified as soon as possible. Then, they can receive early intervention services that can make a big difference in their communication and language development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends hearing screenings for all newborns. The goal is for all babies to have a newborn hearing screening by one month of age, ideally before they go home from the hospital; identified by 3 months of age and enrolled in early intervention or treatment, if identified as deaf or hard of hearing, by the age of 6 months. |
Why do newborns need hearing screening?
The hearing screening is a first and important step in helping understand if your baby may be deaf or hard of hearing. Without newborn hearing screening, it is hard to know when there are hearing changes in the first months and years of your baby's life.
Babies may respond to noise by startling or turning their heads toward the sound, for example. But this doesn't necessarily mean they can hear all the sounds around them and everything we say. Babies who are deaf or hard of hearing may hear some sounds but still not hear enough to understand spoken language.
Infants who are deaf or hard of hearing need the right supports, care, and early intervention services to promote healthy development. If the hearing status is not identified, it may have negative effects on the baby's communication and language skills. Longer term, a missed hearing loss can also impact the child's academic achievement and social-emotional development.
How is the newborn hearing screening done?
According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, over 98% of newborns in the United States receive newborn hearing screening.
There are two screening methods that may be used:
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Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR)—This screen measures how the hearing nerve and brain respond to sound. Clicks or tones are played through soft earphones into the baby's ears. Three electrodes placed on the baby's head measure the hearing nerve and brain's response.
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Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)—This screen measures sound waves produced in the inner ear. A tiny probe is placed just inside the baby's ear canal. It measures the response (echo) when clicks or tones are played into the baby's ears.
Both screens are quick (about 5 to 10 minutes), painless, and may be done while your baby is sleeping or lying still.
One or both screens may be used.
What if my baby does not pass the initial hearing screening?
If your baby does not pass the hearing screening at birth, it does not necessarily mean that she is deaf or hard of hearing. Fluid or vernix inside the baby's ear, for example, or too much noise in the room can affect results. In fact, most babies who do not pass the newborn screening have typical hearing. But to be sure, it is extremely important to have further testing done.
About 1 or 2 in every 100 babies will not pass the initial hearing screening at birth and will need tests with an audiologist who has experience working with babies. This testing should include a more thorough hearing and medical evaluation.
Be sure to talk with your baby's pediatrician about scheduling further tests if your baby does not pass the initial hearing screening at birth.
The additional testing should be done as soon as possible, but before your baby is 3 months old.
Follow-up testing may start with one more screening similar to the type done in the hospital. Some hospitals or clinics may complete a diagnostic test at the time of follow-up, instead of re-screening. In young infants, the follow-up testing may be able to be completed while the baby naps.
If my baby is identified as deaf or hard of hearing, what are the treatment and intervention options?
If your baby's audiologist confirms hearing changes, treatment and early intervention with a team of providers should start as soon as possible. Just like hearing children, children who are deaf or hard of hearing can achieve many things. Studies show your baby will have the best chance for spoken language development―on par with that of hearing peers―if any hearing changes are discovered, and support and intervention begins by 6 months of age. The earlier, the better.
In addition to your pediatrician and audiologist, every baby who is deaf or hard of hearing should be seen by a pediatric
otolaryngologist who specializes in the mechanics of the ear.
Your pediatrician should also recommend seeing a pediatric
ophthalmologist, because some children can also have problems with their vision, and children who are deaf or hard of hearing are dependent on their vision for language input. Many children are also seen by a
geneticist to determine if there is a hereditary cause of hearing changes.
Your state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program can help provide you and your pediatrician with more information. Babies who are deaf or hard of hearing should be referred to Early Intervention for evaluation and services. Additionally, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) supports intervention programs for children who are deaf or hard of hearing within early intervention and school programming.
The audiologist, together with the otolaryngologist, can tell you the
type and degree of hearing change and what the next steps are. These next steps can vary depending on your family's choices, as well as the type and degree of hearing change.
If my baby passes the newborn hearing screening, does it mean he or she will not have hearing loss later?
Unfortunately, no. Some babies may develop
hearing loss later in childhood. Causes of late onset or progressive hearing loss in children can include genetics,
frequent ear infections, other infections like
measles or
meningitis, a head injury, exposure to damaging levels of
loud noises, and secondhand
smoke. Newborns who need an extended period of neonatal intensive care may also be at an increased risk for hearing loss later.
Even if your baby passes the newborn hearing screening, you should still watch for possible signs of hearing loss as your child grows. Talk with your pediatrician if your child:
|
If my baby passes the first hearing test, why is more screening needed?
Even if your child shows no signs of hearing changes, the AAP recommends they be screened again at ages 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10.
Additional screenings are recommended sometime between ages 11-14, 15-17, and 18-21--or any time there is a concern. More frequent follow-up screenings may be recommended for children who have a higher risk for hearing loss.
Hearing loss sometimes is gradual and hard to notice at first. Routine screenings can catch hearing changes early, when providing support and resources can have the most impact on the child's development.
Remember:
Timing is everything. The sooner hearing changes are identified in a baby, the more likely interventions can help her reach her full potential. Talk with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's hearing.
Additional Information & Resources:
Newborn Screening Tests
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention - A Program of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) - Provides research, basic information and statistics regarding hearing loss, screening and diagnosis, as well as current articles and educational materials for clinicians and families.
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
reasons, methods of treatment and compensation
With the participation of an expert: Irina Platonova, audiologist-otorhinolaryngologist
Unilateral hearing loss has several causes, features of development and correction. The main thing is not to miss the moment when it is still possible to fix everything. Irina Platonova, head physician of the MasterSluh clinic in Samara, talks about the causes and treatment of unilateral hearing loss.
Hearing loss in one ear sometimes appears suddenly and lasts up to 12 hours, and sometimes develops gradually and develops into an acute stage - up to one month, subacute - up to three months and chronic, when the ear has not heard for more than three months.
Sounds good on one side, bad on the other
Different versions of the same problem
Unexpected hearing loss is usually noticed by a person and either immediately goes to the doctor, especially if it was preceded by an injury. Or he does not pay attention to the malaise and comes to the doctor when this ailment is already unbearable to endure. It happens that patients reach the point where there is nothing to restore. Don't do it! At the first changes with hearing, contact a specialist.
Did you know that the right and left ears perceive sound waves and transmit them to the brain differently? Each organ of hearing is more tuned to its hemisphere. Therefore, hearing loss even in one ear must be compensated.
It is important to identify the cause of hearing loss and determine its type. Yes, hearing loss can be different. The process of treatment and its result depend on it. In some cases, you can quickly restore normal perception of sounds, and in some situations, you will need surgery or a hearing aid.
Types of hearing loss
There are three types of hearing loss, both unilateral and bilateral:
- Conductive hearing loss. Conditionally reversible when it comes to a physical obstacle between the sound wave and the cells that perceive it. If this obstacle is removed easily and quickly, hearing is restored. For newborns and toddlers with this problem, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. After all, until the child hears, he does not develop.
- Sensorineural hearing loss. Irreversible, when a person has nothing to perceive sounds, the corresponding areas are either not developed or irretrievably damaged. The way out is correction with a hearing aid or cochlear implantation.
- Mixed hearing loss when both types are combined. Having removed the conductive hearing loss, we cannot do anything with the neurosensory hearing loss, and the work of the weak ear will still have to be compensated.
Conductive hearing loss on one side, can be caused by:
- Sulfur plugs.
- Otitis - acute or chronic.
- Damage to the eardrum or foreign body in the ear. Most often this happens with young children - I put a part in, I couldn’t pull it out, then I forgot. He himself can’t say anything yet, but the adults haven’t noticed.
There are operational problems in this category:
- Exostoses are small bone formations in the ear canal.
- Rupture of the ossicular chain.
- Violation of the ventilation function of the auditory tube.
- Anomalies in the development of the outer and middle ear.
- Tumors in the middle ear, including malignant ones.
With conductive hearing loss in one ear, it is very likely that hearing will be restored at least partially. Especially when it comes to an adult who had previously heard well. But the road to recovery may be long. It is necessary to undergo diagnostics, treatment and recovery period.
Each stage can take months.
Sometimes, during treatment, it is recommended to use a hearing aid so that the brain does not have time to get used to a different hearing: then it will be even more difficult to recover.
Sensorineural unilateral hearing loss in children can be caused by auditory neuropathy, prematurity, or a genetic anomaly when a child is born with hearing loss. Or it develops for reasons such as:
- Meniere's disease.
- Neurinomas (tumors) of the auditory nerve.
- Traumatic lesions.
- A viral or bacterial infection that affects the cells of the snail in such a way that they are irreversibly damaged. Even a banal ARVI can give a similar complication. You need to be especially careful with hearing loss after covid and immediately consult a doctor.
- Consequences of taking some strong drugs.
Who is at risk of hearing loss in one ear
Unilateral hearing loss can occur at any age.
In the elderly, a common cause of hearing loss in one ear is vascular disorders against the background of a hypertensive crisis, diabetes mellitus.
Treatment can be difficult because the underlying problem does not go away, and hearing loss is already a consequence here.
Constant monitoring by specialized specialists is required without a discount for the years lived!
Children have a different problem. Often, neither they themselves, simply because they do not know how to hear 100%, nor their parents notice that the child does not hear well in one ear. It is not uncommon for unilateral congenital hearing loss to be detected by chance: during screening examinations before entering kindergarten or first grade.
Adults need to be aware of the signs of a possible hearing loss in a child.
How not to listen to one-way loss?
First, do not neglect routine checkups from childhood. The annual medical examination includes a visit to the ENT, when the specialist checks the hearing.
Second, be alert during and after infectious diseases. In the midst of the disease, as they say, nothing, and you may not even notice that the sounds are perceived worse.
But when you feel better, with any suspicion that the sounds have become fuzzy, your ears are blocked or you hear noise in them, go to the doctor.
There is a hormonal treatment that can help stop hair cell death and preserve what's left of hearing, but it only works for four weeks after the process starts. The sooner you start, the more cells you can save. If hearing loss occurred within a period of up to one month, then such patients are treated in a hospital.
Thirdly, any ear or head injury is a reason to turn to specialists. Don't be a hero!
Basic diagnostic methods for unilateral hearing loss
- ENT examination and otoscopy.
- Acumetric hearing test.
- Tuning fork study.
- Tonal threshold audiometry.
- Acoustic impedance measurement, UAE.
- KSVP.
If the doctor prescribes them, go through them all! Also, patients with unilateral hearing loss are recommended to undergo MRI and CT scans, including contrast-enhanced ones, to assess the state of anatomical structures and exclude dangerous tumors.
For the same purpose, consultations of a neurologist, an ophthalmologist, and possibly other narrow specialists are needed.
Hearing aid and more
There are two main ways to compensate for hearing loss, including unilateral hearing loss: a hearing aid and a cochlear implant.
But in relation to hearing loss in one ear, there is also the CROS system. This is a miniature transmitter that is located on the problem side and transmits sounds wirelessly to the hearing ear. The system helps to improve speech intelligibility in difficult acoustic situations, but does not help determine the direction of the sound. The decision to use CROS is made only by a doctor!
For atresia (pathology) of the external auditory canal, bone conduction devices are used.
Hearing loss in one ear is a common problem with a variety of causes. Any type of hearing loss requires treatment from specialists. In many situations, it is possible to restore hearing, but, unfortunately, not in all.
With neurosensory and mixed hearing loss, compensation with hearing aids or cochlear implants (sometimes by other methods) is necessary.
If you are looking for professional doctors and a comfortable, well-equipped clinic, contact MasterSluh. We help children and adults.
Children's hearing - what parents need to know. Peculiarities of hearing development in children, how to test your child's hearing yourself
Parent's guide
Building the future
For more than 40 years, Phonak has been developing and introducing innovative technologies for children with hearing disorders into the audiology practice. High-tech solutions from Phonak have helped hundreds of thousands of little hearing impaired patients to integrate into a normal communication environment.
This guide is for parents whose children are healthy or already have hearing loss. After reading it, you will learn about the causes of the problem, the prevention of hearing loss, and how to help your child find a wonderful world of sounds if he is hard of hearing.
Good luck!
Why a child needs good hearing
The importance of hearing in childhood cannot be overestimated. Thanks to this feeling, the child develops speech and communication skills, learns about the world around him through his many-voiced “sound”, learns to read, enjoys music, and receives a warning about danger.
A good ear is a world full of colors, knowledge and boundless communication - this is a bright and interesting present and a promising future!
How we hear
Find out how the ear works and how it functions. This will help you identify conditions and conditions that affect your child's hearing.
The human ear consists of three sections: outer, middle and inner.
- The outer ear is the auricle. It collects and transmits sound waves through the external auditory canal to the eardrum.
- The middle ear has a complex structure: it is a cavity in the temporal bone formed by three tiny auditory ossicles - the malleus, anvil and stirrup.
The middle ear conducts sound waves from the eardrum to the inner ear. - The cochlea is the part of the inner ear through which the brain receives sound signals. The chambers of the cochlea are filled with fluid that vibrates when the middle ear ossicles move. This stimulates the hair cells in the inner ear to convert sound vibrations into electrical impulses.
Electrical impulses entering the auditory nerve are what our brain perceives as the sound we hear. Violations in any part of this chain - whether it's a simple sulfur plug in the ear canal, swelling with inflammation of the middle ear, rupture of the eardrum, damage to the bones or nerves - will become an obstacle to good hearing in a child.
How to test your child's hearing yourself
Children's hearing acuity is routinely assessed by an audiologist, but deterioration or complete loss of hearing can occur suddenly, so the main responsibility for identifying hearing impairment falls on the shoulders of parents.
Learn how to assess children's hearing acuity.
When does a child begin to hear well?
The organs of hearing in the fetus develop completely by the 20th week of pregnancy, so the newborn baby must hear you, distinguish between pitch and intonation
This means that you need to monitor your hearing acuity from birth.
How do we know if a child has a hearing loss? The symptoms of hearing loss depend on the degree of hearing loss. A child may have one symptom or all at once. Typical signs of hearing loss in childhood:
- Newborns, babies up to 3 months
The baby does not respond to sharp sounds and to the quiet voice of the mother, is not interested in sound toys. There is no Moro reflex (movement or dilation of the pupils in response to a loud sound). - Children under 3 years old
The child does not respond to what is said in a low voice until he sees the speaker, instinctively turns to the source of the signal of interest to him with his ear or approaches it, speaks loudly and badly, poorly absorbs information.
- Children from 3 years old
They distort words, pronouncing them without endings or skipping some letters, often ask again, stare intently at the face of the interlocutor, increase the volume of the TV sound, poorly absorb information given in the sound mode. - Older children
Complain that they do not hear teachers well, make mistakes in words, study poorly.
Baby's Speech and Language Development Stages
This chart will help you know if your baby is developing properly.
| Child's age | Skills |
| 9 months | The kid demonstrates understanding of the simplest words "mom", "dad", "yes", "no", "bye". |
| 10 months | Children's "cooing" gradually acquires the first signs of speech. The child pronounces a whole series of syllables (“yes-yes-yes”, “na-na-na”, etc. ), which begin to form over time into the first recognizable words. |
| 1 year | The vocabulary of a one-year-old child is calculated in a few words. |
| 1.5 years | The child joins in the conversation, shows familiar parts of the body and objects when asked about them. His vocabulary consists of 20-40 words and short phrases. |
| 2 years | The child's dictionary includes up to 150 words and full phrases. There is perseverance and a desire to listen to books read aloud. At this age, the speech of the child should be understood not only by parents, but also by strangers. |
| 3-5 years | The child actively uses language to express his needs, express emotions, receive and exchange information. He must understand the interlocutor without any difficulty. Vocabulary at this stage normally approaches 1000-2000 words, using which the child composes complex phrases. By the time he starts school, he should be able to clearly and legibly pronounce all sounds. |
Being behind schedule can be caused by inattention, distraction or hyperactivity, but don't risk it! Noticing that the symptoms of hearing loss appear regularly, you should immediately make an appointment with a children's ENT specialist who will conduct a hearing test with instrumental methods.
How does an ENT test hearing?
Hearing abilities in children, incl. in newborns, are examined using the methods of acoustic stem evoked potentials (ASEP), otoacoustic emission (OAE), tympanometry. These tests can be done as early as the first month after birth, when the baby is sleeping or resting. They are accurate and painless.
- KSVP. Clicks or tones are sent to the baby's ears with headphones. The ABR method provides information about the state of the conduction pathways of the auditory analyzer to the level of the brain stem. Hearing acuity is assessed by the response to tone signals.
- United Arab Emirates.
This diagnostic tool evaluates the functionality of the cochlea. Sound signals are sent to the child's ear with the help of small speakers. By the reaction of the snail to them, one can judge the state of the sensory hair cells. - Tympanometry. The study determines the condition and functional characteristics of the tympanic membrane and middle ear. By changing the pressure in the child's ear, the doctor monitors the mobility of the eardrum.
- Behavioral tests and play audiometry - additional experimental studies. The evaluation criterion of the test is the child's reaction to the low sounds of the audiometer. The test is used for children over 3 years of age. At a younger age, behavioral tests with visual reinforcement are used (animated games, video sequences, etc.).
How is hearing quality assessed?
Decibels (dB) measure the degree of hearing loss. The results of a diagnostic study conducted by a specialist are displayed in the form of a graph - an audiogram.
The audiogram records the display of hearing acuity in the range from low-frequency to high-frequency sounds. The graph shows the level and type of hearing loss - the doctor deciphers the audiogram. Based on this information, a hearing correction method is selected.
How to prevent hearing problems in your child: 5 rules for caring parents
There are a number of reasons why hearing can get worse. Find out how to prevent hearing loss in your child.
- Rule 1. If your child has an earache, never self-medicate. Running otitis media, the use of strong antibiotics and improperly selected ear drops are a common cause of hearing loss in children.
- Rule 2. Never leave your baby alone with small objects that he could put in his ear. Explain to the grown-up child how such a game will end, and how it will hurt.
- Rule 3. Never raise your voice above normal. While the child is growing, avoid loud music, loud TV sound, and do not put the child on headphones.
- Rule 4. Do not start diseases associated with the nasopharynx and lungs. Infection from the tonsils easily passes to the middle ear. A strong cough can cause hearing loss and deafness.
- Rule 5. At the first sign of hearing loss in a child, seek immediate medical attention. Many problems are easily solved in the early stages.
What to do if a child has poor hearing
The news that a child has been diagnosed with a hearing disorder makes parents nervous and afraid for their child's future. Pull yourself together and learn how to behave and what to do in this situation. Only clear and competent actions will help to solve any problem.
Which specialist should I contact?
- ENT . You need to start the examination at the pediatric ENT. This specialist is in any children's clinic. The doctor will diagnose and treat the diseases that cause hearing loss.
- Audiologist This doctor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders.
An audiologist evaluates hearing indicators, selects hearing aids and other devices, deals with problems associated with hearing loss (communication disorders, movement coordination disorders, etc.). - Deaf teacher . If hearing is significantly reduced, the help of a speech development specialist is needed. The deaf teacher is engaged in the correction and restoration of speech.
Types, causes, degrees of hearing loss
The cause of hearing loss is not always obvious. In many cases, this is not a hereditary disease. There are a number of factors and conditions that can cause hearing disorders in humans. Only a doctor can determine the cause of hearing loss.
There are two main types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural.
- Conductive hearing loss . Loss of the ability to distinguish between quiet and medium-loud sounds due to impaired conduction in the outer and / or middle ear. Conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause.
Conductive hearing loss can be caused by: sulfur plug, foreign bodies, otitis media (infectious inflammation) of the middle or outer ear, tympanic membrane rupture, cholesteatoma (tumor-like formation in the middle ear cavity), and other pathologies. If the cause of conductive hearing loss is the accumulation of excess fluid (exudate) in the cavity of the middle ear (as, for example, with otitis media), then the problem is solved with medication, and hearing will soon be fully restored. In other cases, resort to surgical treatment or the use of hearing aids. - Sensorineural hearing loss . Sensorineural hearing loss is often associated with damage to the cochlea or nerve pathway that affects the loudness and quality (clarity, intelligibility, etc.) of perceived sounds. The causes of sensorineural hearing loss are congenital pathologies, the influence of toxic drugs, noise, old age. Sometimes referred to as “nervous deafness” (which, however, is not entirely true), it is not treated either surgically or medically.
Only modern technologies such as digital hearing aids and cochlear implants can help.
There are four degrees of hearing loss:
| Degree of hearing loss | Sample sounds | Lower limit of perceived sound, dB | Problems and solutions The information is of a general nature: specific therapeutic options are determined by the audiologist on an individual basis |
| Normal hearing | Rustling leaves, ticking clock | from 20 dB | None |
| Grade I | Whispers, snaps of fingers | 20-45 dB | Difficulty hearing soft voices. Sound amplification and additional support at school (placement at the first desk, etc.) will help. |
| Grade II | Normal conversation | 45-60 dB | Speech is perceived when the interlocutor is close and face to face. A hearing aid will help, additional support at school (additional classes, Roger wireless technologies). Roger technologies can also be used at home. |
| Grade III | Normal and loud speech, doorbell | 60-75 dB | Only loud speech is perceived. A properly fitted hearing aid will help. |
| IV degree | Phone call, baby crying, thunder | 75-90 dB | Loud speech is distinguishable if the interlocutor is close. A hearing aid is required for normal speech perception. |
| Deafness | Truck, chainsaw | over 90 dB | Depending on individual indications, a hearing aid or cochlear implant may help. |
How to help a child: how to improve hearing
Today, medical technology has gone so far that it can help a child with any hearing disorder. Find out what will help your child.
The right choice of hearing aid will almost completely eliminate the dysfunction of the child's hearing organ and ensure the normal development of speech communication skills.
The choice of the type of hearing aid depends on a number of factors: the child's hearing acuity, his individual needs (and in older age - personal preferences), lifestyle, etc.
- Behind the ear (BTE). Recommended for small children. The hearing aid sits behind the ear, has a compact size and is available in a variety of colors. Children's hearing aids help with both mild and severe hearing loss.
- Intra-the-ear (ITE). Suitable for independent teenagers from 15 years old. It is made individually in accordance with the anatomical structure of the auditory canal. Can be used for hearing loss I-III degree.
- Apparatus with external receiver (RIC). Another option for older children. In this model, the microphone, as in the behind-the-ear hearing aid, is placed inside the case, and the receiver is taken out and placed in the ear canal. Such a device has a smaller size and looks more aesthetically pleasing.
Can be used for hearing loss I-III degree.
How many hearing aids do you need: one or two? For bilateral hearing loss, binaural hearing aids are recommended, ie. wearing two hearing aids.
My child has grade IV hearing loss or deafness, how can I help?
Your child can be helped as soon as he or she is one year old: in the most severe cases, cochlear implants come to the rescue.
Cochlear implant - an electronic medical device that is surgically placed in the inner ear
The implant replaces damaged parts of the ear structure or nerve circuit. The device also has an outer part that looks like a normal hearing aid and includes a microphone, speech processor and receiver. A cochlear implant is indicated for children aged 1 year and older who have grade IV hearing loss or deafness in both ears and who do not benefit from hearing aids.
My child wears a hearing aid but still has difficulty hearing at school
The hearing aid industry is not only about hearing aids, but also a lot of useful accessories that allow children to communicate with each other, listen to music, watch TV, share information through Bluetooth devices.
A very handy device is the Roger FM System.
This wireless technology will be useful for the student. The use of Roger-based platforms in the educational process allows the child to perceive information on an equal basis with everyone else. This is a digital radio system that picks up sound signals and transmits them to the user's auditory analyzer without distortion. Roger makes speech intelligible and understandable, even in noisy environments. The Roger system includes one or more wireless microphones designed for the speaker (may be a parent at home or a teacher at school) and receivers attached to or integrated into the hearing aid.
How to teach your child to perceive information better
Many parents worry about whether a child with a hearing loss will be able to study well and communicate fully. The child will not have any obstacles to this if, in addition to technological solutions, you teach him a few rules.
Your child should be able to:
- Look at the other person.
So he will be able to receive information not only with the help of sounds, but also by reading articulation, gestures, observing facial expressions and eyes. - Do not interrupt the speaker. If he does not understand the beginning of the phrase, then in the course of the conversation he will catch the meaning and understand what it is about.
- Politely ask to repeat what was said. So he will not cause irritation.
- Briefly summarize what you have heard. It was clear to the speaker what information he should focus on again.
- Use communication functions. Subtitles, Roger FM system, etc. will help the child.
Poor hearing is no reason to be discouraged, especially since there are many opportunities to improve it
Teach your child to go through life with a smile, talk about new opportunities, read the stories of people who have become famous, even when they are disabled.
