In 1977, Julia Davis’s Our Forgotten Children: Hard of Hearing Pupils in the Schools shed light on an overlooked problem in the US: “the societal tendency to underestimate the needs of children with less-than-severe hearing loss who wear hearing aids.” At the time, Davis found that educators and school professionals were not trained to work with hard of hearing students, and were not fully aware of accommodations and accessibility needs. It seemed that students with hearing aids were therefore “treated” and did not need further accommodations in the classroom.

Here in 2017, have things changed much for children who are hard of hearing? Learn more about a new study on children who are hard of hearing, and the facts of pediatric hearing loss.

Study: Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss

Researchers from the University of Iowa, Boys Town National Research Hospital, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began a project in 2008 to study children with hearing loss and educational outcomes. The study participants included 317 children who are hard of hearing and 117 children with normal hearing (matched by age and socioeconomic status).

Between 2008 and 2013, researchers found that “children who are hard of hearing are at risk for language delays – and this risk increases with the severity of hearing loss.” Furthermore, researchers found that “well-fitted hearing aids provide protection against developmental risks for children wo are hard of hearing.” And, interestingly, the expectations placed on hard-of-hearing children – which tended to be lower than hearing children – had an effect on their performance levels.

According to researchers, “If we want to avoid underestimating the needs of these children, it is critical that we expect them to achieve at the same academic level as their peers.” In other words, both hearing aid verification and validation practices” were of vital importance to the performances of hard of hearing children.

Pediatric Hearing Loss

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about “2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.”

There are many different causes for hearing loss in children. If a child is born with hearing loss, it is called congenital hearing loss. Newborns in the US receive hearing screenings before being discharged from the hospital. Acquired hearing loss, another form affecting children, occurs after birth. Otitis media (ear infections) is a common cause of acquired hearing loss in children, as well as infections such as meningitis or measures. Exposure to loud noises or head injury may also lead to hearing loss in children.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) there are four main ways that hearing loss may affect childhood development:

  1. Hearing loss may cause delay in the development of receptive and expressive communication skills (speech and language).
  2. Language deficiency lead to learning problems and reduced academic achievement.
  3. Difficulty with communication may adversely affect a child’s social development, leading to isolation and poor self-concept.
  4. Long-term untreated hearing loss in a child may hinder their future vocational choices.

Depending on the age of your child, there are many different signs that may indicate pediatric hearing loss. Learn more about communication benchmarks at ASHA’s site here.

Preventing Childhood Hearing Loss

Currently, over 43 million young people (12 to 35 years old) live with disabling hearing loss. In middle and high-income countries, 50% of people between 12 and 35 years old are exposed to unsafe levels of sound on a daily basis. This may lead to permanent hearing loss.  Hearing loss is defined as having hearing loss greater than 30 decibels in children. Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable (unlike hearing loss related to medical causes).

Limit Time in Noise: Most hearing specialists agree that when listening music or media, particularly with earbuds, it is important to follow the 60-60 rule. Listen at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, with breaks in between. If your child is exposed to noise at a concert, sports game, or festival, make sure to bring earplugs or take frequent breaks by moving away from the noise.  

Monitor Safe Listening Levels: There are many free, downloadable apps available to control safe listening levels on your child’s tablets or smartphones. Set the volume at 60% or below and setup a password protection to prevent them from turning the volume up.

Get Regular Hearing Check-Ups: As with annual physicals, it is important to schedule an annual hearing test for the entire family. At Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services, we provide hearing tests for the entire family, including children. Our comprehensive hearing exams will identify your child’s current hearing ability and whether they are experiencing any kind of hearing loss.

To learn more, contact us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services today.