Many older adults suffer from hearing problems, but they are surprisingly common with children as well.  Data from the CDC’s Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that approximately 14.9% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 suffer from some form of hearing loss. Most of these problems are fairly minor, but some children need treatment. As a parent, you should learn about hearing problems that affect children and the steps you need to take to address them.

There are a number of causes of hearing problems among children. Most of them lead to fairly mild problems, but some of them can lead to much more serious problems. Here are some things that you need to be aware of.

Genetic Causes

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association states that genetic problems are probably the most common cause of hearing loss among children. Approximately 50% of children with some form of congenital hearing loss have a genetic defect that predisposes them to partial hearing loss or deafness.

You will want to know if there is a family history of congenital hearing problems. It is important to take your child to their doctor for an evaluation if you think that they are suffering from any of these problems. They may recommend a cochlear implant, surgery, or hearing aid to address the problem.

Serious Infections

Ear infections are extremely common with children. Approximately 80% of children develop an ear infection before the age of three. They usually make a full recovery within a few days. However, some children suffer from more serious infections that lead to long-term hearing problems.

Children suffering from a serious case of otitis media can partially lose their hearing if it isn’t treated in time. Here are some symptoms that parents need to be aware of:

• Difficulty paying attention
• Signs of fatigue or apathy
• Frequently touching their ears
• Unexplainable irritability

You should speak to your child’s pediatrician if you witness any of these symptoms. They will need to address the lingering infection and may need to take signs to reverse any damage to the ear drum.

Trauma

Trauma is another leading cause of ear infections. The trauma could be specific to the ear itself or it could have struck the child’s head. Exposure to high-decibel noises is the most likely problem that is going to lead to hearing problems. They will usually be temporary, but some long-term problems can persist if the ear drum is ruptured. It may heal over time, but the hearing may never fully recover without surgery or other corrective treatment.

More serious trauma may require surgery to treat, but giving hearing aids to your child may suffice if the damage is mild. You should speak with your doctor to find out what hearing aids would work best and visit www.njhearingaids.com.

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