There are so many different things to worry about when you have a child. Right from their birth, there are different targets and milestones that your baby is supposed to reach, starting with the absolute basics – where they are on the weight-for-age percentile – are they getting enough to eat?
Then there are all those developmental milestones – giving their first smile at about four weeks, being able to roll over, learning to crawl and walk. A baby and toddler’s life sometimes seems like a never-ending list of achievements and goals to be reached!
Of course as a parent, you worry about whether your child is doing everything they should be able to, and if they’re not, it can be concerning, especially if their peers are reaching those targets earlier.
Most parents won’t tend to consider whether their child has hearing loss unless there’s a family history of it, so they may not be aware of what signs to look out for, and whether to seek help.
However, if you suspect that there might be a problem with your child’s hearing, it’s important to not delay seeking help as hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop speech and language and social skills. Early diagnosis and treatment of any hearing problem will make it easier for them to develop those skills to their full potential. You can find out more about hearing loss treatment including hearing aids here.
For the majority of people, they won’t have even thought to worry about their child’s hearing and that’s generally a good sign – because there is probably nothing to be concerned about. However, the following are some indications that your child needs to have their hearing checked.
Babies
If they turn their head when they see you, but not if you just call their name
If they don’t startle at a loud sound
If they don’t say single words by the age of one year, eg ‘mama’, ‘dada’
If they don’t turn to a sound source after the age of six months
Children
If their speech is not clear or delayed
If they don’t follow directions. Often people assume this is because they’re not paying attention but it could be due to a hearing loss problem
If they say ‘what?’ a lot
If they want to turn the volume up on the TV a lot when other family members don’t
The good news is that in the UK, all those visits to the GP and health visitor in the first few years of a child’s life will include different checks on their hearing. The first is a hearing screening as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) in the first few weeks of life, usually carried out by the midwife or health visitor on a routine visit. Then there’s
another hearing screening at their two-year check and when they’re about to start school. If any hearing loss is detected or suspected at these checks, your child will be booked in for a hearing test.
But if you have any concerns at any time, don’t be put off asking for another hearing screening for them. Book an appointment with your GP and they can request a hearing test for your child. If there is no hearing loss, then your mind will be put at rest, and if there is any hearing loss, then you can take steps to get your child the treatment that they need.
