Hearing Loss
How Hearing Loss Affects Your Child's Development
As parents, we naturally want what's best for our kids, and one important area we must not overlook is their hearing. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how hearing loss can affect your child's growth and why early intervention is key.
Hearing Loss and Secondary Disorders
In a study from 2020, researchers found that hearing loss in children can increase the chances of them developing sensory processing disorder (SPD). This discovery highlights how crucial it is to catch hearing issues early and provide the right treatment. When a child gets help for their hearing and the type of hearing loss they have are also important factors that can make a big difference in how well they handle sensory processing.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
SPD can manifest in various ways, affecting a child's daily life in areas such as:
Daily Activities: Simple tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or eating can become challenging for children with SPD.
Play and Playfulness: The ability to engage in playful activities and interact with peers may be compromised.
Social Skills and Social Participation: Developing friendships and navigating social situations can be more difficult for children with SPD.
Learning: SPD may hinder a child's ability to focus and learn in school.
Language and Speech Acquisition: Hearing loss can impact a child's ability to acquire language and develop speech.
Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem: Struggling with SPD can affect a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.
Hearing Loss and Vestibular Function
Children with hearing impairment have been observed to exhibit decreased vestibular function in various studies. Vestibular function is essential for maintaining balance, coordination, and other motor skills. Some common issues that may arise due to hearing loss-related vestibular problems include:
Poor Coordination: Children may have difficulty coordinating their movements, making activities like sports and play more challenging.
Balance Deficits: A lack of proper balance can lead to a higher risk of falls and injuries.
Clumsiness: Children with hearing loss-related vestibular issues may appear clumsier in their daily activities.
Eye Gaze Stability: Maintaining a steady eye gaze and focusing on objects can be more challenging for these children.
Impacts on Reading Skills: Vestibular problems can also impact a child's ability to develop essential reading skills.
How Hearing Loss Affects Your Child's Social and Emotional Development
For children with hearing loss, growing socially and emotionally can be a bit different. Here's what you need to know:
Learning Struggles
Kids with hearing loss often work harder to learn because hearing isn't as easy for them. Unlike their friends with normal hearing, they may find it challenging to pick up sounds and language, which can affect their schoolwork.
Communication Hiccups
Having inconsistent access to communication is a common issue for these children. This includes challenges like low tolerance for hearing equipment, needing to charge hearing aids, or dealing with missing or damaged devices. These challenges can make it significantly tricky for them to engage in conversations and develop friendships with others.
Learning through Play
Kids usually learn a lot by playing with friends and having fun experiences. But children with hearing loss might miss out on some of these experiences, especially when it's noisy. This can make it a bit harder for them to make friends and pick up language skills.
Understanding these challenges and working with your child’s therapists can help your child grow socially and emotionally. It's essential to work closely with your child’s educators and professionals to ensure they provide the right support and help them thrive.
Early Hearing Loss and Language Development in Children
In children, hearing loss at a young age can affect various aspects of language development, with the most profound impact on speech sounds, word structure, advanced vocabulary, and grammar.
The first three years of life are crucial for rapid language development, and early identification of hearing loss, along with intervention services, can help ensure normal language development.
Helping families understand how important it is for their child's language development to have access to spoken or sign language is a key part of providing the best support. Knowing this connection can empower you to make choices that help your child's language skills grow and flourish.
Take a close look at your child's ears!
If you notice any ear pits or ear tags, these can be signs of abnormal ear development. It's essential to contact your pediatrician for a referral to an audiologist for a hearing examination. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in your child's hearing health.
Recommendations for Families Supporting a Child with Hearing Loss
When you're supporting a child with hearing loss, there are several strategies that can make a positive difference in their communication and development:
1. Face Your Child: Make sure to face your child directly when communicating or playing. This helps them see your facial expressions and lip movements, which can enhance their understanding.
2. Use Tactile Cues: Point to your mouth while saying sounds, words, or other auditory cues. This provides a tactile reference that can assist your child in recognizing and learning language.
3. Reduce Background Noise: Minimize background noise in your environment. Turn off the TV, reduce noisy toys, and limit conversations when you're engaging with your child. This helps them focus on the sounds and words they need to hear.
4. Use Hearing Technology: Encourage the consistent use of hearing aids or cochlear implants during all waking and dry hours. This ensures your child has access to important auditory information.
5. Introduce Short Breaks: As your child becomes accustomed to hearing aids, consider implementing 15-minute breaks to build their tolerance and comfort with these devices.
6. Observe Body Language: Pay close attention to your child's body language for signs of discomfort related to specific sounds or pitches. For example, if they are sensitive to singing, try using a chanting tone instead.
7. Consult the Audiologist: If you have questions or need further clarification about your child's hearing loss or their hearing technology, don't hesitate to contact your child's audiologist. They can provide valuable guidance and education tailored to your child's specific needs.