Hearing Tests, Interventions and Therapy by Expert Pediatric Audiologists
From birth, babies learn about the world around them through listening and hearing. While most children have normal hearing abilities at birth, about 1 to 3 of every 1,000 American babies have some level of hearing loss.
Because early intervention can make all the difference in a child’s ability to communicate, diagnosing and treating hearing loss early is crucial.
Our trained audiologists offer services that can help achieve the best possible outcome for your child’s condition.
Audiology: Early Intervention
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends newborn hearing screenings as the first important step to understanding if a baby has any kind of hearing disorder.
Hearing-impaired children or children with hearing loss need appropriate support, care, and intervention services to thrive and achieve their goals in life.
Early identification of hearing loss in infants enables pediatric audiologists in developing and planning interventions so babies will develop speech and language skills as close to “on target” as possible.
What Is a Pediatric Audiologist?
A pediatric audiologist is a medical professional who can test and evaluate the presence, extent and reason for hearing loss and related issues in children. Because early intervention is important for children with hearing loss, pediatric audiologists use their highly specialized training to recognize signs of hearing loss early in life.
Once the presence and extent of hearing loss is verified, the pediatric audiologist will determine the proper treatments to prevent further hearing loss and correct any existing damage.
Hearing Conditions
Problems with hearing may be attributed to a variety of conditions including:
- Conductive hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD)
- Cerumen (wax) impaction
- Otitis media
- Otitis externa
- Mastoiditis
- Cholesteatoma
- Facial nerve palsy
- A variety of vestibular and balance disorders
Treatments and Therapy for Children with Hearing Loss/Deafness
Treatment may include:
- Hearing aids. Hearing aids are devices that amplify sound from outside the ear.
- Cochlear implants. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that can provide auditory sensation to a person with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. It is made up of pieces worn outside the ear and pieces surgically placed inside the ear.
- Speech-language pathology therapy. This type of therapy involves working with a therapist to improve communication through play, turn-taking, and working on gestures and signs.
Multidisciplinary Care
Your child’s pediatric audiologist may refer you to other specialists to work in tandem on your child’s case. These other medical professionals may include:
- Speech and language pathologists/therapists
- Sign language teachers and interpreters
- Occupational therapists
Should My Child See a Pediatric Audiologist?
It is a parent’s instinct to ensure their child is developing properly and hitting their developmental milestones on target. If your child passed their newborn hearing test, but you have doubts that they can hear normally, you should seek medical advice from their pediatrician.
Indicators your child has trouble hearing include:
- Speaking loudly
- Asking others to repeat themselves
- Having trouble following directions
- Having a delayed reaction when you call them