Hearing Loss in Babies: What You Need to Know

Hearing loss is not always a condition that comes with age. In fact, infants can be afflicted with it just as much as adults.

Infants can lose their hearing in just one ear, partially or both ears depending on the cause.

What Causes Hearing Loss in Infants?
Hearing loss in infants is not very commonly seen at birth and is more likely to develop as the child gets older. Sometimes loss can occur in one or both ears and be mild to severe or profound (which is akin to being completely deaf). Sometimes the hearing loss will progress over time, while for some children it can remain steady.

There are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of hearing loss in an infant, including:

• Family history
• Low birth weight

Hearing loss can also occur when there is an issue in the outer or middle ear. These problems may hinder soundwaves from passing through. These issues can include:

• Birth defects that impact the structure of the canal or middle ear
• Wax buildup
• Buildup of fluid behind the eardrum
• Injury or rupture of eardrum
• Objects stuck inside the ear canal
• Scars from infections

Issues with the inner ear can also lead to hearing loss, such as:

• Tumors
• Structure problems with the inner ear
• Infections
• Genetic disorders
• Exposure to toxic chemicals

How Can I Tell if My Baby is Losing Hearing?
Diagnosing hearing loss in infants is difficult, especially because an infant cannot tell you that they are having difficulty hearing. As a parent, there are some symptoms you can look out for to tell you if your child is hearing properly. These include:

• Your infant does not startle at loud noises
• Your infant does not respond to familiar voices or shows limited reaction when being spoken to
• As your child gets older, they are not meeting the verbal milestones (single words by 15 months, simple two-word sentences by age two).

Living With Hearing Loss
Your child’s hearing loss may be difficult to deal with, but it does not have to impact the rest of their lives. In fact, there are timely steps you can take to help your child cope with limited or profound hearing loss. Technological advancements in hearing aids and other devices combined with speech therapy can help your child live a rewarding life, regardless of hearing loss.

If your child is suffering from hearing loss, bring them to our hearing clinic in Calgary. Here we can assess their hearing levels and equip them with a hearing aid so that they can still learn in school, have fun and even communicate properly. Contact us online or visit one of our convenient locations.