Birmingham, Ala. (May 29, 2025) — Part of a child’s development is learning to hear sounds correctly. With the increasing use of new technology, concerns about hearing loss among children continue to grow.
“Some of the most common signs of hearing loss in a child are that he or she does not respond well, especially to his or her name being called,” said Becky Reed, an audiologist at Children’s of Alabama. “In young kids, you may notice that they will hold their toys to their ears. Also, not developing speech and language appropriately would be another sign of hearing loss.”
Hearing loss can happen at any age. However, hearing impairment at birth or that develops in infants and toddlers is of extra concern. It can lead to developmental challenges if not recognized and treated early. Reed says newborn hearing screenings are now required, which has led to early intervention for some children. Children with typical hearing should continue to have their hearing checked at regular checkups. Hearing screening tests are typically conducted at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years, as well as during the preteen and teenage years.
Reed added that there could be several reasons why a child loses their hearing. However, one of the leading causes is loud noises.
“You just want to make sure they are not exposed to loud sounds for a long time,” said Reed.
Reed also advises parents to protect their children’s hearing when attending concerts or any prolonged loud noise event. Also, when using devices like tablets or phones, make sure they are at least 50% of volume or less.
Reed says medical intervention may be needed depending on the type of hearing loss. Medical treatments, therapy, and surgery can help with hearing loss. A team should include specialists, such as audiologists, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors, speech-language therapists, and education specialists, to assess children with permanent hearing loss.
Reed says if a parent is concerned about their child’s hearing, they should consult their child’s pediatrician.
