HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN

Do you think your child might be suffering from hearing loss? Below is information from Early Stages about the importance of hearing screenings, and how to go about getting your 2 – 5yr old child one.

Have you ever wondered  whether your child is ignoring you or cannot  hear you? Although  permanent hearing loss remains rare in children (approximately  9-10 per 1,000),  about  35% of preschool children have fluctuating  hearing loss  due to repeated or untreated  middle  ear infections.

Even mild problems with hearing can result in communication delays  and other learning challenges, so how often should a child’s hearing be screened?

The  newborn  hearing  screening  should  happen  before leaving the hospital or within the first month for babies  delivered at home.  For many  reasons, not all babies pass the first time.  If a newborn  does not pass, a second screening by 3 months of age is necessary.

Children who pass the newborn hearing screening may not pass future  hearing  screenings, so it is important to ask about a yearly screening at your  pediatrician’s office. That said, the frequency of screening depends on a variety of reasons, including prematurity, medical history, family history, and  delayed language, so talking with your child’s pediatrician about  hearing loss in children is important!

An estimated 35% of preschool children experience intermittent hearing loss secondary to repeated or untreated episodes of ear infections.

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REFER A CHILD

Anyone may refer a child between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 10 months for a screening. Click here to refer a child.

LEARN WITH EARLY STAGES

Early Stages provides a series of group workshops for organizations interested in serving a team of professionals or a group of parents/ guardians. Professionals may also sign up as single attendees through OSSE’s DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC). Visit our workshops page to learn more about learning opportunities with Early Stages.