Hearing loss can easily go unnoticed, especially in children. It can affect the way they develop communication, social skills, and language. Hearing loss affects children of all ages, the earlier it is detected, the earlier it can be treated, and reach their full potential.
A few facts from Hearing Loss Association of America:
About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
Even a mild hearing loss can cause a child to miss as much as 50 percent of classroom disc assign.
12.5 percent of kids between the ages of 6 and 19 have hearing loss as a result of listening to loud music, particularly through earbuds at unsafe volumes.
Only 1 in 5 people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.
An estimated 50 million Americans experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears); 90 percent of those also have hearing loss.
Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss.
Hearing loss has been shown to negatively impact nearly every dimension of the human experience, including physical health, emotional and mental health, perceptions of mental acuity, social skills, family relationships, and self-esteem, as well as work and school performance.
Signs of Symptoms of Hearing Impairment
Not all hearing loss looks the same, it is different for every person and child. For a baby it may seem like they can hear some sounds but not others, or may be startled by loud sounds. Hearing loss can be mistaken for not paying attention.
For children signs may be a delay in speech, unclear speech, not following directions, says ‘Huh?’ Or ‘What?’ often, or turns the volume on the TV or Tablet up very high.
What To Do If You Suspect a Hearing Problem
If you suspect a loved one has a hearing issue, it is important to contact the team at Orlando Ears, Nose & Throat. Early diagnosis is crucial.
