Pediatric Group and Hearing Loss Detection in Children
I have been writing audiology-related texts on this platform for a while now. Although my texts are generally about the young adult and geriatric population in relation to my experiences, I wanted to share a brief piece of information on the subject in response to a question from a client.
In theoretical training provided in health sciences-related fields, the aim is to understand the healthy functioning mechanisms of the human body well before detecting diseases. In this context, knowing the expected hearing gains of pediatric groups and children with normal development according to their age will be beneficial in early detection of the problem.
“Michael was about three months old and playing in a play area surrounded by toys. We were playing with some toys. I had a ball in my hand that made a noise when squeezed, and I was making loud noises right next to his head by holding the ball. I noticed that he didn’t move in response to the sounds.”
Robert, Cochlear™ Nucleus® user
Hearing loss can be congenital or occur in the first years of life. Early diagnosis is crucial for combating hearing loss that affects a child’s language and communication skills and for starting appropriate treatment methods.
In our country (Turkiye), newborn hearing screening has been made mandatory among the tests performed for newborns. Thanks to newborn hearing screening, hearing loss in babies can be detected quickly within three days after birth. However, even if newborn hearing screening is performed, the family should continue to pay attention to signs of hearing loss. In some cases, hearing loss may appear in the months following birth or result from a temporary condition (e.g., fluid accumulation in the middle ear).
At the end of the text, I will also add the expected hearing gains in pediatric groups and children with normal development. It is of great importance that if families notice one or several of the mentioned signs, they take the situation seriously, consult a doctor immediately, and have a comprehensive evaluation. Hearing loss is not just a problem limited to restricted hearing or not hearing at all. Indeed, the speech abilities, language learning capacities, and communication skills of individuals who experience hearing loss from childhood will be significantly affected, and the children will feel excluded among their peers and struggle to express themselves. This situation will also lead to introversion and various psychological problems in the child.
Although it may not be possible to stop, prevent, or improve hearing loss, options such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and speech therapy play a critical role in the development of children with hearing loss alongside their peers. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for the treatment of any disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss will enable children to become more independent and confident individuals later in their lives.
Expected hearing gains in infants (0–12 months):
Not startling or showing surprise: Babies should startle or show surprise in response to loud noises. If the baby does not react to intense sounds, this is an important sign.
Not following sounds: Babies are expected to turn their heads towards the source of the sound at 4–6 months. If the baby is not following sounds, hearing loss should be suspected.
Not hearing their name: Babies aged 6–9 months are expected to react when their names are called. If the baby does not hear their name, it could be a sign of a problem.
Not understanding simple words: Babies aged 9–12 months are expected to understand and recognize simple words like “mom” or “dad”. If the baby does not respond to these words, there may be hearing loss.
Expected hearing gains in children (1–3 years):
Delay in language development: Children with hearing loss will lag behind their peers in language development. They may struggle to repeat words and have a limited vocabulary.
Frequently increasing volumes: Children with hearing loss tend to turn up the volume of the television or music to hear sounds.
Attention deficit or difficulty understanding: Children with hearing loss may have attention problems and difficulty understanding compared to their peers.
(Excluding the pediatric group, hearing screening in schools has also become mandatory for school-aged children with new legal regulations. Hearing screenings are usually conducted at regular intervals and help to detect hearing problems early. However, hearing loss can develop or worsen during the time between screenings. It is crucial for families and teachers to closely observe children apart from hearing screenings.)
Signs to look for in school-aged children to detect hearing loss include:
Low academic performance: Children with hearing loss may not be able to fully hear what the teacher says in class, which can negatively affect their academic success.
Mispronouncing words: Children with hearing loss may struggle to correctly pronounce specific sounds or words in their speech.
Frequently saying “what?” or asking for repetition: Children may want to hear what has been said again due to hearing loss. They are often engaged in effortful listening.
Social isolation: Children with hearing loss may have difficulty communicating with their friends, leading to social isolation.
Listening to sounds at high levels: Children may prefer to listen to television, music, or computer games at higher levels due to hearing loss.
Additionally, I want to mention something else. I had said that newborn hearing screening is among the mandatory tests to be performed after birth. For out-of-hospital normal births, it is essential for the family to have this test done as early as possible.
I hope this information has been helpful. Thank you for reading.
