Understanding Pediatric Hearing Loss
Early hearing challenges can affect how children learn, communicate, and meet developmental milestones. Because hearing loss in babies and children can be subtle, recognizing the signs early helps prevent long-term speech, learning, and social difficulties.
What Are the Signs of Pediatric Hearing Loss?
Children with pediatric hearing loss may show:
- Delays in speech or language development
- Mood changes or frustration
- Not responding when their name is called
- Wanting TV or music at higher volumes
- Difficulty following directions
- Inattentiveness or inconsistent reactions to sound
- Babies who do not startle at sudden loud noises
These signs don’t always confirm hearing loss, but they are strong indicators a pediatric hearing evaluation is needed.
What Causes Pediatric Hearing Loss?
The most common causes include:
Ear infections – Frequent or prolonged infections can block sound transmission and affect hearing as a child’s auditory system develops.
Congenital hearing loss – Present at birth and affecting about 1 in 500 infants. Nearly half of all congenital cases are linked to genetics.
Acquired factors – Illness, injury, noise exposure, or certain medications may also contribute to hearing changes as children grow.
Understanding the cause helps guide the right pediatric hearing care and long-term support.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Hearing Evaluation
Because children respond differently at each age, our pediatric hearing specialists use age-appropriate tests to check hearing, middle-ear function, and sound awareness.
Babies (0–12 months)
Behavioral audiometry
Observes your baby’s reactions to specific sounds — eye movements, startles, or quieting — to understand how they hear.
Toddlers (1–3 years)
Audiometry play-based tests
Sounds are presented through headphones; your child responds by completing simple tasks or games.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA)
A sound source is paired with visual cues to reward correct responses and measure hearing sensitivity.
Children 3+ years
Pure Tone Audiometry
Your child listens to tones through headphones and raises their hand when they hear a sound.
Tympanometry
Checks middle-ear function by measuring pressure changes — helpful in detecting ear infections or fluid.
These evaluations build a full picture of your child’s hearing and guide appropriate next steps, including monitoring, therapy, or kids’ hearing aids when needed.
Concerned About Your Child’s Hearing?
Untreated hearing loss can impact learning, confidence, and daily communication. Early evaluation makes a significant difference.
If you’re noticing signs of pediatric hearing loss, contact us today to schedule a pediatric hearing test and get clarity on your child’s hearing health.
