It is important to diagnose hearing loss early on. If your child is showing any of the common signs of hearing loss please contact your child's physician. Our audiologist, Marti Andrews, M.S. CCC-A, can evaluate your child and determine the severity of hearing loss. Please call (207) 324-8483 to make an appointment. Referrals can be faxed to (207) 490-5558.
Healthy Hearing
Healthy hearing is essential to normal development in children. Children who have hearing loss have a harder time communicating, reading, learning, and with social functioning than children with normal hearing. It is estimated that 14.9 % of American children have hearing loss in one or both ears.
While some children are born with hearing loss, healthy children can develop hearing loss from head injuries, loud music/sounds, otitis media(ear infection), and other infectious diseases.
While some children are born with hearing loss, healthy children can develop hearing loss from head injuries, loud music/sounds, otitis media(ear infection), and other infectious diseases.
Common signs that your child may have hearing loss:
- Child consistently complains of ear pain
- Child pulls on ear often
- You generally have to raise your voice to get your child's attention
- Child asks for things to be repeated often
- Child plays his/her music or the TV louder than normal
- Child confuses similiar sounds and may have problems with phonics and spelling at school
- Child watches your face intently when you are talking, may even turn his/her head so that one ear is facing you as you speak
Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear. Normally, it is caused by fluid build-up that may or may not be infected. Otitis media is the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. It is also the most common reason for hearing loss in children.
Generally, hearing loss from otitis media is temporary; however, when otitis media occurs frequently, permanent hearing loss may occur. It is important that ear infections are diagnosed by your child's physician as soon as your child starts exhibiting symptoms.
Otitis media symptoms may include:
Generally, hearing loss from otitis media is temporary; however, when otitis media occurs frequently, permanent hearing loss may occur. It is important that ear infections are diagnosed by your child's physician as soon as your child starts exhibiting symptoms.
Otitis media symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Pain
- Inattentiveness
- Needing the TV or radio louder than normal
- Unexplained irritability
- Pulling on ear(s)
- Misunderstanding directions
Ways to prevent ear infections:
- Breastfeed your baby
- Do not smoke. Ear infections are more common in children whose parents smoke
- Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of germs
- Immunize your child
- Talk to your child's physician