Children & Teens
From preschool through high school children are developing, learning, and refining critical communication, academic, and social skills. Whether your child has a hearing loss, frequent ear infections, auditory processing problems, or normal hearing sensitivity, audiologists can help children achieve communication, academic, and social success by improving their listening environment.
Conductive Hearing Loss
The most common cause of conductive hearing loss in children and teens is otitis (pronounced: o-tie-tus) media, which is the medical term for an ear infection that affects the middle ear. Ear infections cause a buildup of fluid or pus behind the eardrum, which can block the transmission of sound. Even after the infection gets better, fluid might stay in the middle ear for weeks or even months, causing difficulty hearing. This fluid is usually temporary, and whether it goes away on its own (which is usually the case) or with the help of medications, once it’s gone a person’s hearing typically returns to normal. Other types of blockages in the ear, such as a foreign object, impacted earwax or dirt can also cause conductive hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss can also occur when key parts of the ear — the eardrum, ear canal, or ossicles (bones of the middle ear) — are damaged. For example, a tear or hole in the eardrum can interfere with its ability to vibrate properly. Causes of this damage may include inserting an object such as a cotton swab too far into the ear, a sudden explosion or other loud noise, a sudden change in air pressure, a head injury, or repeated ear infections.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
These impairments result from problems with or damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Its causes include:
Genetic Disorders
Some genetic (inherited) disorders interfere with the proper development of the inner ear and the auditory nerve.
Injuries to the Ear or Head
Injuries such as a skull fracture can cause hearing loss.
Complications During Pregnancy or Birth
Some babies are born with hearing impairment due to infections or illnesses that the mother had while she was pregnant, which can interfere with the development of the inner ear. Premature babies and/or extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit are also at higher risk for hearing impairment.
Infections or Illnesses
Certain conditions, such as repeated ear infections, mumps, measles, chickenpox, and meningitis can damage the structures of the inner ear.
Loud Noise
A sudden loud noise or exposure to high noise levels (such as loud music) over time can cause permanent damage to the tiny hairs in the cochlea, which then can’t transmit sounds as effectively as they did before.
When Is Noise Dangerous?
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs gradually and without pain. Noise may damage hearing if you have to shout over it to make yourself heard. Experts agree that continued exposure to noise of 85 decibels or louder, over time, will eventually harm hearing. In general, the louder the sound, the less time required before hearing is lost.
Noise is all around us at home
Normal household products contribue to the total noise to which we are exposed. Loud home appliances, toys, televisions, and sound systems can cause hearing loss and pose a risk for stress-related health problems.
Things you can do:
- Turn down the volume on the television and radio
- Wear hearing protection (ear plugs or muffs) when using loud equipment like lawnmowers
- Buy quieter products (often printed in “dB’s” on the packaging)
- Limit the number of noisy appliances run in the kitchen at the same time
Toys
Many toys can be dangerously loud. Infants or young children have shorter arms than adults and therefore usually listen to toys closer to their small, sensitive ears. Noise-induced hearing loss among children is a serious public concern and can delay or reduce speech and language development and result in learning, social, and/or emotional disabilities. Hearing loss affects almost 13 out of every 1,000 children under age 18, some resulting from exposure to noise.
Personal Audio Devices
Personal audio devices can play music well above the maximum safety limits of 85 decibels for extended periods of time. Personal audio devices that are not used safely pose a threat to the hearing of people of all ages, and, once ears are damaged, they do not heal. It is critical that people using these devices learn safe listening habits.
How to enjoy these devices safely:
- Lower the volume
- Limit listening time
Audiologists and hearing scientists recommend that you give your ears a break from continuous listening and that you turn down the volume. Some personal audio devices have features or software that will allow you to limit the maximum volume or power that the device can provide. Use these features or software for safer listening.
If you notice ringing in your ears, notice that speech sounds muffled or notice any other changes in hearing after you have used a personal audio player, discontinue its use and have your hearing checked by a qualified audiologist.
The Impact of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in childhood has an impact on the rest of the child’s life. There can be impaired learning in the classroom, impaired social interaction in play and in social events, and an inability to interact with bosses and coworkers on the job. Hearing loss that starts in childhood can get worse and worse throughout life, especially if the habits that cause it are not corrected.
This is why it is important for children to have their hearing checked on a regular basis, at least once a year. When a child or teen reports a sudden loss of hearing after attending a concert, or hearing an explosion or a gunshot, it’s important to seek immediate medical care.
