How to Detect Hearing Loss in Children

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How to Detect Hearing Loss in Children
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• Hearing and speech are an imperative tool that
  directly influence all the aspects of a childs
  development.
• Hearing loss or impairment, if not detected and
  treated early, may cause the affected child to
  miss much of the language and communication
  around and hinder their development.
• So, it is important for parents to look for
  issues with their childs hearing at an early
  age.
• Here are some signs that will help identify
  hearing abnormalities in your child and avoid
  potential loss.

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• Natural Signs to Identify Hearing Impairment or
  Loss
• Babbling is the first form of a childs oral
  communication, which he/she acquires by the age
  of 9 months. If your baby doesnt make babbling
  sounds by this age, his hearing might be
  impaired.
• In addition, a baby not responding to familiar
  voices, smiles or coos, not startling at loud
  noises, no turning of the eyes and head toward
  sources of familiar sounds, not responding to
  his/her name may have hearing issues.
• Toddlers and young children with hearing
  impairment issues dont communicate much or talk
  to people, at all. They have a hard time
  communicating and sharing and tend to cut off
  themselves from the real world.
• Children aged 4-5 years with hearing problems
  tend to speak loudly, watch television at loud
  volumes, appear inattentive, pronounce words
  incorrectly and respond inappropriately to
  questions.

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• Diagnosis and Medical Evaluations
• Apart from the aforementioned easily detectable
  signs, you can consult with a physician to have
  your childs hearing diagnosed. Depending on the
  childs age and medical history, the following
  tests may be performed to detect a hearing loss.
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test gauges the
  brains response to a sound and is performed on
  children who cant cooperate for a traditional
  method.
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) is a quick screening
  test for newborns that check the inner ears
  response to a sound.

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• Behavioural Audiometry Evaluation are tests
  performed on children who are old enough to
  actively respond to different sounds by turning
  their head, raising their hand and playing games.
• Tympanometry is a test that detects the condition
  of the middle ear and the ability of the eardrum
  to move.
• Moreover, there are many specialists who offer
  free hearing tests and screening facilities. In
  case your child is diagnosed with a hearing loss,
  the physician may refer the child to a
  professional audiologist who will further
  identify the nature of the hearing disorder and
  recommend suitable hearing aids.

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• Get Help
• Early hearing loss can have serious effects on a
  childs development. However, getting the child
  into treatments as soon as the problem is
  detected can help the child reach their full
  potential.

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Contact Us

• Visit http//www.hassa.com.au/
• Email reception_at_hassa.com.au
• Contact No. 08 8362 6099
• Address 6 Grenfell Street, Kent Town, S.A. 5067