Navigating a school environment can be naturally overwhelming and challenging for children, so when hearing loss is added into the mix, it can become an even more difficult time to manage.
Hearing loss affects 34 million children globally, but the good news is that with the right support and guidance in place, children can still thrive and enjoy school.
With this in mind, I'm able to share this information from Dr. Jenn Schumacher, audiologist at ReSound, who offers insights into children’s hearing loss, how it can affect their development, and guidance for parents on supporting their child’s success at school.
“A lot of parents may naturally worry when their child has hearing loss and they are coming up to school age, as even mild hearing loss can impact children’s ability to learn and develop speech.
“But what’s important to remember is every child’s hearing profile is different and while some children are born with hearing loss others can develop it later in childhood or experience it temporarily.
“There are several types of hearing loss that parents should be aware of, as it can help to support any treatment they may need or extra support in school.
“Conductive hearing loss is the first type; this often occurs when sound cannot efficiently travel through the outer or middle ear. Often due to issues like ear infections, this type of hearing loss may be temporary or can be a condition that children develop at birth.
“Sensorineural hearing loss is another type of hearing loss that children can suffer from. This is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear and this often needs to be treated with hearing aids.
“Finally, mixed hearing loss occurs when a child experiences both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Treatment can often range from medical intervention to hearing aids.
“It’s important to note that childhood hearing loss can range from mild to severe and impact a child’s hearing in one or both ears. Any kind of impairment can severely impact their ability to learn and understand speech and academic success, which is why it’s so important to recognize the signs of hearing loss in children as soon as possible and speak with a medical professional to get a diagnosis.”
Signs of Hearing Loss in Children
While some children are born with hearing loss, for others it may be identified later.
If you think your child may have hearing loss, here are some signs to look out for:
Red ears or pulling at ears
Watching faces or lips intently
Difficulties reading or learning
Difficulties with talking or mispronouncing words
Not responding when spoken to or misunderstanding instructions
Having the TV louder than normal
Appearing inactive or daydreaming
Supporting Children at School
If a hearing loss diagnosis has been confirmed, there are many ways to support children with their learning so they don’t fall behind.
Utilize appropriate hearing devices
If an audiologist diagnoses your child with hearing loss, they may recommend hearing aids as part of a treatment plan. Helping your child succeed in school can depend heavily on having the right hearing device in proper working order. Many children also benefit from the use of additional hearing technology, such as a remote microphone or FM system that allows a teacher’s voice to stream directly into their hearing aids over any background noise.
Enhance children’s communication skills
As a parent, you can also support your child by learning and using sign language at home to supplement verbal communication. You might also consider speech therapy to further develop your child’s spoken language skills.
Collaborate with your child’s teacher
Most importantly, when your child has hearing loss, it’s essential to maintain regular communication with their teacher. This could mean weekly or monthly meetings to evaluate your child’s progress. These updates will help you both understand how best to support your child at school and at home.
While arranging play dates are important for all children, to help foster friendships and build confidence, they can be particularly beneficial for those with hearing loss. It can help them foster relationships without the pressure of noisy and busy environments, while also helping other children gain a better understanding of hearing loss.
Reinforce learning at home
You could also try to reinforce learning at home, reviewing lessons together to help fill any gaps from the day. Make sure you also celebrate every success and progress, it’s not just about results.
Post courtesy of ReSound: https://www.resound.com/en-us/
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