The effects hearing loss can have on children

Hearing loss can strike anyone at any time, but unfortunately, children suffer the most due to the effects hearing loss can have on development.

In this short article we look at the statistics behind hearing loss, the signs to look out for, and the impact it can have on children.

The figures

Roughly 1-in-a-1000 children in the UK are born severely or profoundly deaf, 90% of those to hearing parents.

Currently, it’s estimated there are around 50,000 children in the UK who are deaf, with thousands more suffering from hearing difficulties.

A significant proportion of these children use British Sign Language to communicate, but sign language is not a substitute for spoken word.

It is well documented that hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning.

Developmental impact

As you would expect, different levels in the severity of hearing loss result in different developmental effects.

Hearing impairment can cause delays in speech and language skills, with vocabulary and comprehension developing slower than children without impairment.

Children with hearing loss understand and create shorter and simpler sentences than children with normal hearing and often have difficulty with complex sentences.

Children may have more of an issue learning more abstract words, such as before, after, or jealous. Homophones are also a difficult topic, ie words that are spelt and sound the same but have different meaning, like wind. You can wind up a toy or feel a strong wind.

The psychological and social impact on children can also be devastating.

Children with hearing loss, and especially those wearing hearing aids, are more likely to feel isolated and unhappy in school, and not have many friends, particularly when their socialisation with other children with a hearing loss is limited.

This can lead to a lack of self-confidence and social skills which go on to affect the important teenage years.

Reasons for hearing loss and what to do

There are many possible causes of hearing loss, some preventable others hereditary.

The important thing is not why your child is having hearing difficulties, but rather having their hearing checked as soon as you notice symptoms.

Early intervention is the key – the sooner you act, the more likely treatment will be successful.

In fact, research shows that treating hearing loss before a baby reaches six months of age results in significantly better speech and language outcomes than treating later.

If you notice your infant doesn’t react to loud noises before the age of 3 months, you should bring him to your doctor.

Children up to a year old should turn to look at the direction sound is coming from, while older than that should respond to your voice at a normal tone.

If your child has recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, it’s not the end of the world.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious, but rest assured that there are many treatment options available, for both home and school.

We mentioned recently the famous people with hearing loss who have gone on to conquer the world, so never think your child can be anything other than exceptional.

The level of academic achievement is related to parental involvement, so roll your sleeves up and get stuck in!