Childhood hearing loss
Childhood hearing loss
34 million children around the world live with 'disabling' hearing loss.4 There are many parents and loved ones just like you who are learning about hearing loss and what treatments options and early intervention is available.
Hearing is the process of sound travelling through your child's ears, but it's actually their brain that interprets what they hear. Providing a child's brain with the stimulation it needs at an early age can enable them to achieve their best speech, language and social skills.1-3, 5-8
Childhood hearing loss
34 million children around the world live with 'disabling' hearing loss.4 There are many parents and loved ones just like you who are learning about hearing loss and what treatments options and early intervention is available.
Hearing is the process of sound travelling through your child's ears, but it's actually their brain that interprets what they hear. Providing a child's brain with the stimulation it needs at an early age can enable them to achieve their best speech, language and social skills.1-3, 5-8
Hearing loss in newborn babies
Hearing loss in newborn babies
Did you know a Newborn Hearing Screening can detect hearing loss in newborn babies? Because hearing loss is invisible, a Newborn Hearing Screening at your local hospital can help identify your baby’s hearing ability.
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can help your baby receive the treatment they need to build their speech and language skills so they may thrive.
Hearing loss in newborn babies
Did you know a Newborn Hearing Screening can detect hearing loss in newborn babies? Because hearing loss is invisible, a Newborn Hearing Screening at your local hospital can help identify your baby’s hearing ability.
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss can help your baby receive the treatment they need to build their speech and language skills so they may thrive.
Cochlear implants for severe to profound hearing loss
Cochlear implants for severe to profound hearing loss
Hearing aids work by amplifying sound, which makes them an ideal solution for children with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, for children with severe to profound hearing loss, hearing aids might not be enough for them to understand sounds and learn to speak.8
In this case a cochlear implant might be the best option. Cochlear implants bypass the inner ear to directly stimulate the hearing nerve to provide your child with the clarity of sound and speech they need to help them understand what is being said.2
Cochlear implants for severe to profound hearing loss
Hearing aids work by amplifying sound, which makes them an ideal solution for children with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, for children with severe to profound hearing loss, hearing aids might not be enough for them to understand sounds and learn to speak.8
In this case a cochlear implant might be the best option. Cochlear implants bypass the inner ear to directly stimulate the hearing nerve to provide your child with the clarity of sound and speech they need to help them understand what is being said.2
Early intervention treatment for children with hearing loss
Benefits of treating your child's hearing loss early
1
Establish better language skills
2
Attend mainstream school
3
Develop spoken language
Anggy
Mother of Beatrix, cochlear implant recipient
I hope every child who has hearing loss is given the opportunity to hear like my daughter Beatrix. To any parent who is worried, get a hearing test for your child - you don't need to be afraid.
Anggy
Mother of Beatrix, cochlear implant recipient
Your child's hearing milestones
Your child's hearing milestones
Our first 24 months hearing milestones checklist can help you understand your child’s hearing progress.
Does your child react to loud sounds? If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, speak with a doctor or contact us.
Your child's hearing milestones
Our first 24 months hearing milestones checklist can help you understand your child’s hearing progress.
Does your child react to loud sounds? If you have concerns about your child’s hearing, speak with a doctor or contact us.
Disclaimer
Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always follow the directions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
The first 24 months Hearing Milestone Checklist and Playtime Ideas Checklist are guides and are not intended for diagnostic purposes nor to replace medical advice. Please consult a hearing health professional for a hearing test for your child.
For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.
References
- Ching TYC, Dillon H, Leigh G, Cupples L. Learning from the Longitudinal Outcomes of Children with Hearing Impairment (LOCHI) study: summary of 5-year findings and implications. Int J Audiol. (2018 May); 57(sup2).
- Ching TYC and Dillon H. Major Findings of the LOCHI study on children at 3 years of age and implications for audiological management. Int J Audiol. (2013 Dec); 52:sup2, S6-S68.
- Ching TYC, Dillon H, Button L, Seeto M, Van Buynder P, Marnane V, Cupples, L, Leigh G. Age at Intervention for Permanent Hearing Loss and 5-Year Language Outcomes. Pediatrics. (2017 Sep); 140(3).
- 10 facts about deafness [Internet]. World Health Organization; (2018), [cited 5 October 2018]. Available from: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/deafness/en/
- Semenov, YR, Yeh, ST, Seshamani, M, Wang, N-Y, Tobey, EA, Eisenberg, LS, Quittner, AL, Frick, KD, Niparko, JK, CDaCI Investigative Team. Age-Dependent Cost-Utility of Pediatric Cochlear Implantation. Ear Hear. (2013 Feb); 34(4):402-412.
- Sarant JZ, Harris DC, Galvin KL, Bennet LA, Canagasabey M, Busby PA. Social development in children with early cochlear implants: normative comparisons and predictive factors, including bilateral implantation. Ear Hear. (2018 Jul/Aug); 39(4):770-782.
- Geers AE and Nicholas JG. Enduring advantages of earlier cochlear implantation for spoken language development. J Speech Lang Hear Res. (2013 Apr); 56(2).
- Cox, R. M., Alexander, G. C., Johnson, J., & Rivera, I. (2011). Cochlear dead regions in typical hearing aid candidates: prevalence and implications for use of high-frequency speech cues. Ear and hearing, 32(3), 339–348. doi:10.1097/AUD.0b013e318202e982.