Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, including infants and toddlers. Three of every 1,000 children born in the United States have some kind of hearing loss.
Knowing the signs of infant and toddler hearing loss supports early detection, which is crucial for effective treatment. Addressing it early on can help your child achieve developmental milestones.
Early Signs of Hearing Loss in Infants
Newborns should receive a hearing screening before they leave the hospital. However, it’s still important to monitor your child’s reaction or lack thereof to auditory stimulation.
Common symptoms of hearing loss in infants include:
- Lack of a startle response to loud noises
- Not turning their head toward a sound source
- No response to voices
- Limited cooing or vocalizing
- Lack of sound imitation
- Inability to say simple words like “mama” or “da-da”
- Hearing some sounds but not others
Signs of Hearing Loss in Toddlers
It may be more difficult to identify hearing loss in toddlers, as some behavioral indicators can be dismissed as the “terrible twos.”
Toddlers may exhibit the following signs if they have hearing loss:
- Lack of reaction to loud sounds, especially if they’re not facing the source
- Frequently asking to repeat words or speak louder
- Limited vocabulary
- Difficulty combining words
- Frequent tantrums
- Balance issues
- Consistent ear infections
What Causes Hearing Loss in Infants and Toddlers?
Babies may have congenital hearing loss at birth or develop it during infancy and childhood.
Hearing loss in children is caused by:
Genetic factors: Your child may be at an increased risk of congenital hearing loss if there is a family history of auditory issues. Gene mutations can also cause hearing loss in infants.
Birth complications: Premature birth (before 37 weeks), low birth weight, oxygen deprivation and severe jaundice can contribute to hearing loss.
Prenatal infections: Exposure to infections such as measles, rubella, herpes and cytomegalovirus can impact ear development in the womb.
Structural abnormalities: Conditions like microtia and atresia alter the formation of a baby’s outer ear. Your child may also have abnormal growths in their ears that affect how sounds travel through their canals.
Trauma: Head, ear and neck injuries can damage your infant or toddler’s delicate ear structures.
Ototoxic medications: Certain antibiotics and diuretics can cause hearing loss.
Ear infections: Fluid buildup and inflammation can prevent sound waves from traveling through your child’s ears. Frequent infections could lead to permanent hearing damage.
Noise exposure: Exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels, such as traffic noise and fireworks, can damage the hair cells in your child’s inner ear that send audio to their brain.
Earwax: Excess earwax can build up in your child’s ear canals, muffling sounds and distorting audio.
When to Seek Professional Help
It’s crucial to seek medical intervention as soon as you notice signs of hearing loss in your child. If your child fails a newborn hearing screening, you should consult an audiologist to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation. A hearing test will determine the cause, type and severity of your infant’s hearing loss. If your toddler has developed multiple ear infections or isn’t reaching developmental milestones, you may need to contact their pediatrician. They can refer you to a hearing specialist if you’re unsure where to find service.
Why Early Intervention is Key for Hearing Health
Hearing contributes to brain development and influences speech and language skills. Seeking early intervention for childhood hearing loss can help your child learn to navigate and engage with the world around them.
Hearing loss treatment may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech therapy and aural rehabilitation. Those options can minimize the impact hearing loss has on your baby’s life. Good hearing health can enhance social and emotional growth, empower personal connections and provide a sense of confidence.
Comprehensive Hearing Healthcare at Hearing Associates
Our expert team specializes in treating various hearing health issues, including childhood hearing loss. We’re committed to helping your son or daughter get started on their journey toward better hearing by providing thorough evaluations and personalized services. Call 888-760-2032 or schedule your appointment online.