Empowering Your Child’s Hearing Health Journey
As a parent, it is essential to advocate for your child’s hearing health. If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, preparing for appointments with an audiologist can make a significant difference in understanding your child’s condition and ensuring that your child receives the best care possible. Here are some of the critical issues to consider, and why they matter.
CHOOSING AN AUDIOLOGIST
Finding the right audiologist is a key step in caring for your child’s audiological needs. Audiologists who work with children should be caring, supportive of your questions and need for knowledge, and careful to take the time to fully understand your child’s home and school experience. Choices that you make together must be underpinned by an attitude of child- and family-centred care. The assessment and management of hearing loss in children can differ to management of the same issues in an adult, so your chosen audiologist should demonstrate care and knowledge about your child’s ‘whole person’ environment!
What Can We Expect from a Hearing Test?
Knowing what may be involved in a hearing evaluation can help ease your (and your child’s) apprehension, making it comfortable to ease into the assessment. So read this link to find out more about a common testing process. Then, also ask:
- How long will the test take?
- Are there any preparations we need to make before the test?
- What should I tell my child about the reason for the test?
What Type of Hearing Loss May My Child Have?
Understanding whether your child has normal hearing, or whether a sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss is present, is crucial. This knowledge helps you comprehend the underlying cause/s and the most suitable management options. You can follow this up with:
- Is my child’s hearing loss temporary or permanent?
- What are the possible causes of their hearing loss?
- Could the identified hearing loss be related to any challenges they may be facing in their development?
What Are the Management Options for Hearing Loss?
If a hearing loss is identified, different management options are available to help your child function more effectively. Hearing aids are often appropriate ways to restore adequate sound when a hearing loss is permanent or semi-permanent because access to sound is essential for language and academic development. You may also be referred to an ENT or GP if the problem is amenable to treatment. Transient problems represent opportunities to return hearing to normal, quickly. Be empowered to make informed decisions about your child’s care! Ask questions like:
- What are the pros and cons of each treatment option?
- How effective are these treatments for my child’s specific type of hearing loss?
- Are there any additional therapies or supports that could complement their treatment?
How Do I Know What Type of Hearing Aid is Best for My Child?
If semi-permanent or permanent hearing loss is identified, you may be exploring hearing aid options with your audiologist. Hearing aids come in a variety of styles and technologies, suitable for different acoustic, aesthetic, or contextual needs. These differences can also affect affordability. Knowing which options may suit your child’s lifestyle and hearing needs ensures that the best benefits may be achieved. Also, ensure that your audiologist explains your child’s full management plan, including the frequency of visits, regularity of device adjustments, and maintenance or servicing requirements. Good management is likely to result in a continuously good hearing experience.
How Can We Protect My Child’s Remaining Hearing?
Good hearing habits are essential to preserve your child’s remaining hearing and prevent further deterioration. Your audiologist should advise you about hearing safety so that you can protect your child’s hearing function. This may include bespoke hearing or ear protection.
What Should We Do If My Child’s Hearing Changes?
Monitoring your child’s hearing subjectively (through your own observation of their responses) and objectively (with regular hearing assessment) ensures that you can alter your plan if your child’s hearing circumstances change. Problems can be tiny (such as a blocked tube or dead battery) to significant (such as an ear infection). Your audiologist can teach you to troubleshoot problems for self-maintenance or help you to check your devices. A good audiologist will also advise you about what signs and symptoms to look for that may require a consultation.
Are There Support Groups or Resources Available?
Connecting with other parents and families with similar experiences can provide emotional support and practical advice. Often, audiologists can provide you with details for local or online support groups and useful parent resources. You can be properly empowered, uplifted, and encouraged by the right professional to support your child’s hearing needs throughout childhood.
Our NB Hearing & Balance Team Is Here to Support Your Family
Being proactive and informed about your child’s hearing health is vital. By asking these questions and asserting your needs, you can make informed decisions that ensure your child receives the best possible care. If you are ready to take the next step in your child’s hearing health journey, schedule a consultation with one of our NB Hearing & Balance audiologists.
We have convenient locations across the Cape Peninsula, including Wynberg, Durbanville, Sea Point, Hout Bay, and Noordhoek.
- Important Questions to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist - November 5, 2024
- Understanding the Differences between Hearing Loss and Auditory Processing in Children - September 3, 2024
- Incidental Learning in Children - July 8, 2024
