Question: I am suspicious that my third grader could have a hearing problem. What signs could indicate that he could have a problems. - Possible Problem
Answer: So much learning that your children do in school comes from listening to teachers and classmates. It's important to identify the signs that may indicate a possible hearing loss in your child as quickly as possible so that the next steps can be taken: testing followed by appropriate treatment and management.
According to the Hearing Health Foundation, it is more difficult to identify hearing loss in children who have developed speech skills, as they may have unconsciously developed coping techniques to compensate for their loss. Watch for these signs in older children:
- Your child seems to hear fine some of the time and then not respond at other times.
- Your child wants the TV volume louder than other members of the family.
- Your child asks "what?" or says "huh?" more often than he used to.
- Your child moves one ear forward when listening, or he complains that he can only hear out of his "good ear."
- Your child's grades fall, or his teacher notes that the child doesn't seem to hear or respond in the classroom.
- Your child says that he didn't hear you. Many parents assume their children are not paying attention when in fact there may be an unidentified hearing loss.
- It seems as though your child is just not paying attention.
- Your child starts to speak more loudly than previously.
- Your child looks at you intently when you speak to him. He may be depending on visual cues.
- You just have a feeling. Sometimes you just can't put your finger on what your concern is.
There are many possible causes of acquired hearing loss that appear months or years after birth. Most hearing loss in children without obvious risk factors (such as premature birth) has a genetic cause. If you have concerns, contact your pediatrician for a referral to an audiologist, a professional who is specially trained to identify hearing loss in children of all ages, for a complete hearing evaluation. .