How to Tell if My Child Has Hearing Problems
Children may not even be aware that they have a hearing problem. Hearing problems that are not properly diagnosed can lead to a child having a hard time learning and teachers and parents not understanding why the child is having a difficult time learning.
Ask your doctor if your child was at risk for hearing problems at birth. The doctor can assess certain risk factors and tell you if your child was at risk of being born with hearing problems. Certain diseases and a baby being born prematurely can increase the risk of a child having a hearing problem.
Know if your child has had problems with his ears. If he has had ear infections or any physical damage to the ears, then he may be at risk of having hearing problems.
Observe the speech development of your child. Children with hearing problems will typically have delayed speech development.
Check to see if your child understands you when you talk to him. Take note if your child does not always hear you when you are calling him. He may not be ignoring you; it may be a hearing problem that is causing you to have to repeat his name.
Take your child to an ear doctor and have their hearing tested. Testing hearing and eye sight should be done on an annual basis. This will help to detect any potential problems early on and have them properly treated. Some hearing problems can be a sign of a much more serious health issue. Other hearing problems may become permanent if they are not caught and treated early enough.