Parenting Pointers - Teaching Ear Care to Kids

 From dental hygiene to healthy eating and exercise, families teach children essential lessons in how to take care of their bodies from an early age.

But ear care is just as important yet often overlooked. The variety of sound and noise kids are exposed to daily can cause irreversible hearing damage, much of which is preventable with the right habits.

Dr Jenn Schumacher, audiologist at ReSound, explains why teaching kids about healthy hearing early on is essential and what parents can do to help make ear care a lifelong habit.

Hearing health is a growing global concern

The reason why it’s so important that kids are taught about hearing health from a young age first and foremost, is because hearing health is a growing global health concern.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 430 million people globally require treatment for disabling hearing loss, which includes 34 million children. A figure that is likely to continue to grow. 

Children are much more prone to ear infections

Children’s ears are more prone to middle ear infections. Their bodies aren’t as good at fighting off respiratory illnesses, such as colds, because their immune systems are still developing.

These types of illness can cause fluid to fill up inside the middle ear cavity, behind the eardrum.

For most adults, a small tube called the eustachian tube prevents the buildup of fluid in the ear, but in children, the eustachian tube doesn’t work as efficiently and fluid commonly builds up inside the ear.

This makes them more susceptible to infections, as well as hearing loss and speech and language delays, in cases where the infections are chronic.

Teaching simple habits like keeping ears clean and dry and avoiding inserting objects can significantly reduce the risk of painful or recurring infections.

Children’s hearing supports speech and learning 

Healthy hearing plays a vital role in speech development and learning. Children absorb language by listening to sounds and words. If they cannot hear clearly, they miss out on key auditory cues needed for communication.

A recent study in the Healer Journal found that untreated hearing loss can delay speech and language development, affecting education and overall quality of life. Encouraging good ear health from a young age helps build communication skills and confidence.

Practical tips for parents to help teach their children about ear care 

Below, Dr Jenn has given her top tips to help encourage ear care in children from a young age: 

Teach them the “no objects in ears” rule

From a young age, make sure children understand that nothing should be inserted into their ears. This includes toys, pencils, and even cotton swabs. Inserting objects can damage the ear canal or eardrum, which may lead to pain, infections or long-term hearing problems.

Monitor and teach safe listening levels when using earphones

Depending on their age, either monitor the sound levels children are exposed to through earphones or teach them how to manage these levels themselves. Kids should understand that loud volumes can damage hearing over time.

As a rule of thumb, the WHO recommends keeping volume at 60%  or less of the device’s maximum to maintain healthy hearing.

Encourage gentle drying after swimming or bathing

Moisture can easily become trapped in the ear, especially after swimming or bathing. This can lead to infections such as swimmer’s ear.

Teach children to gently pat their ears dry with a towel to help reduce the risk of moisture-related infections and keep their ears healthy.

Introduce good hygiene habits

When children are old enough, teach them proper hygiene for their ears. This includes how to clean around the ears safely, without digging or inserting anything inside.

Show them that ears, like the rest of the body, should be kept clean, but also explain that ears are delicate and should be treated with care.

Schedule regular hearing check-ups

Routine hearing check-ups are just as important as dental or eye exams. These help catch any potential issues early. Explain to children why regular check-ups matter.

Early detection can prevent delays in speech, communication, and learning. If a parent has any concerns about their child’s hearing abilities, or if their speech or language development seems off, it’s important to schedule a hearing test with an audiologist.

Encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong

Children may not always recognize when something is off with their hearing. Encourage them to say something if they experience pain, discomfort, or if their hearing seems muffled or strange. The earlier you’re aware of a problem, the easier it is to address.

Post courtesy ReSound: https://www.resound.com/en-us/