According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, a little more than three percent of babies born in the United States have a hearing loss. That is not to say that all of those babies are profoundly deaf, but any degree of hearing loss has an impact on the child’s language and speech development. Subsequently, social interactions and self-esteem can also be impacted.
Early detection means less detriment to the child’s development. However, early detection can result in a number of treatments or interventions: medical, technology (such as a hearing aid), therapy (auditory and speech), and language education.
It may seem that a baby is just a baby, and there is little reason to worry about a possible hearing impairment when school is so far in the future. However, putting on a hearing aid is not like putting on a pair of glasses to correct a small vision problem. If the child has not heard the spontaneous language, words, and sentence structures around him since his birth, he will not suddenly understand everything. It is remotely like a child who is adopted from a foreign-speaking country. He does not immediately pick up the new language.
Often Parents Suspect a Hearing Loss
Parents may sense that there is something amiss with their baby’s hearing. Perhaps the child does not start making sounds at an expected age. Perhaps he does not startle or respond in any way to environmental sounds or voices. Perhaps he seems also surprised as someone comes into his view, seemingly not hearing the approach or the person’s words.
Regardless of the fact that more and more American hospitals are conducting newborn hearing screenings, hearing loss is not always detected. Sometimes, a baby may pass the screening and later be found to have a hearing loss. By the same token, a baby may fail the screening and later be found to have normal hearing.
Just as Often Parents Do Not Suspect a Hearing Loss
Although some parents rightly suspect a hearing loss, others may not pick up on the signs. They are aware that children develop at different rates. Sometimes they are unaware of the typical development of children regarding speech. It seems that many are more aware if Suzie takes her first step on time.
Sometimes, parents who do not suspect hearing loss have older children. They do not see delayed speech or the ability to seemingly ignore sound as a sign of a hearing problem. They may just be thankful that the baby seems to be a good baby who demands little.
Confirm Whether or Not Baby Has Hearing Loss
Begin with a visit to the child’s pediatrician. Determine if there is some infection or fluid that may be causing a problem. Ask for a referral to an audiologist who can perform infant hearing tests. This requires special equipment. Even if the doctor does not think there is a hearing loss, follow through with the testing. Language development time is irreplaceable in the infant.
Hearing loss is invisible. However, the developmental and social impacts for a child are immense. Early detection is the key to minimize the impact of a baby’s hearing impairment.
Lynn Moore - Moore is a freelance writer, experienced special education teacher, and mother of two. She has worked as a developmental therapist for ...
