Help for parents of hearing-impaired children

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) says one to two babies in every 1,000 will be born with some level of hearing loss in one or both ears. Since 2006, all babies in the UK are offered a hearing screening test within a few days of birth. Any kind of early hearing loss can be a serious problem. That's because it can undermine the foundation of language development, which experts believe is built during the early months and years of life.

But it can be very hard to identify hearing-impaired children until obvious signs of speech and developmental delays show up.

If you suspect that your child may have a hearing problem, talk to your GP. Get your child's hearing evaluated as soon as possible. If your child has been diagnosed with a hearing impairment, seek help right away. Experts agree that the earlier hearing-impaired children get help, the better their chances of reaching their full learning and developmental potential.

What are the causes of hearing loss in children?

Hearing-impaired children can experience hearing loss due to a variety of causes, including:

• Glue ear ( Otitis media). This ear inflammation, deep in the ear, occurs often in young children because their ear canals are not fully developed. Fluid builds up behind the eardrum and can become infected. Even if there is no pain or infection, the fluid can impair hearing if it stays there – at least temporarily. In severe and chronic cases, glue ear can lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Congenital factors. Some hearing-impaired children are born with hearing problems – either as a result of genetic factors or because of prenatal or childbirth problems. More than half of all congenital hearing problems in children are due to genetics. Hearing loss can also result when a pregnant woman develops certain conditions such as diabetes or toxaemia. Premature birth also raises a child's risk of hearing problems.
• Acquired hearing loss. A variety of conditions can trigger hearing problems in young children after birth. They include illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, measles, chicken pox, and influenza. A head injury or exposure to very loud noises can also lead to acquired hearing loss.