Determining if Your Child Has a Hearing Loss

If you think that your child has a hearing loss, you might be right.   The following checklist will assist in determining whether or not your child might have a hearing loss.  Please read each item carefully and check only those factors that apply to you, your family or your child.

More than 3 million American children have a hearing loss.  An estimated 1.3 million of these are under three years of age.  You, the parents and grandparents, are usually the first to discover hearing loss in your babies, because you spend the most time with them.  If, at any time, you suspect your baby has a hearing loss, discuss it with your doctor.

Your baby's hearing can be professionally tested at any age.   Computerized hearing tests make it possible to screen newborns.  Some babies are in a higher risk category for having hearing loss than others.  If you check any items on this list, your child should have a hearing test as soon as possible.

All children should have their hearing tested before they start school.  This could reveal mild hearing losses that the parent or child cannot detect.  Loss of hearing in one ear may also be determined in this way.  Such a loss, although not obvious, may affect speech and language.

Hearing loss can even result from earwax or fluid in the ears.   Many children with this type of temporary hearing loss can have their hearing restored through medical treatment or minor surgery.

In contrast to temporary hearing loss, some children have nerve deafness, which is permanent.  Most of these children have some usable hearing.   Few are totally deaf.  Early diagnosis, early fitting of hearing aids, and an early start on special educational programs can help maximize the child's existing hearing.

Use this simple list to answer the question "Is My Baby's Hearing Normal?"

RISK CRITERIA  --- CHECK EACH ITEM THAT APPLIES:

RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENT
(SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT):

What you should do

If you have checked one or more of these factors, your child may be at risk for hearing loss.  At risk simply means there is a better than average chance of a hearing loss.

If your child is at risk, you should take him or her for an ear examination and a hearing test.  This can be done at any age, as early as just after birth.

If you did not check any of these factors but you suspect that your child is not hearing normally, even if your child's doctor is not concerned, have your child's hearing tested by an audiologist and when appropriate, his or her speech evaluated by a speech and language pathologist.  If no hearing loss exists, the test will not have hurt him or her.  However, if your child does have a hearing loss, delayed diagnosis could affect speech and language development.

This leaflet is provided as a public service to parents who are concerned that their child might have a hearing loss.  It is not a substitute for an ear examination or a hearing test.   Hearing loss can exist in children even though none of these checklist items are present.