{"id":2924,"date":"2022-04-08T23:22:08","date_gmt":"2022-04-09T03:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/speechandhearingassoc.fm1.dev\/unilateral-hearing-loss-in-children-could-affect-later-development\/"},"modified":"2022-04-08T23:22:08","modified_gmt":"2022-04-09T03:22:08","slug":"unilateral-hearing-loss-in-children-could-affect-later-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/speechandhearingassoc.com\/unilateral-hearing-loss-in-children-could-affect-later-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Unilateral Hearing Loss in Children Could Affect Later Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

A common misconception about hearing loss is that it only affects older adults. But not only are children also impacted, hearing loss can actually affect their development. According to the <\/span>National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders<\/span><\/i>, 2 – 3 out of every 1,000 children are born with some degree of hearing loss. Additionally, an estimated 15% of school aged children and teens (6-19) also have some degree of imapired hearing. Experiencing hearing loss earlier on can impact childhood development. Studies show that unilateral hearing loss (impaired hearing in one ear) cna cause delays in speech and language development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Link Between Hearing Loss & Developmental Delays\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Various studies show how hearing loss can impact development. This includes a recent <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> conducted by researchers at <\/span>Sichuan University<\/span><\/i> (in China) who examined the relationship between hearing loss and developmental delays. The study included nearly 200 infants and toddlers (under the age of 3). Researchers found that compared to children without hearing loss, children with unilateral hearing loss, \u201clagged behind in the function of sound discrimination and identification, preverbal vocalization, as well as trajectory of EPLAD [early prelingual auditory development]\u201d. Their findings also show that profound unilateral hearing loss caused more severe EPLAD delays.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These findings support other studies that highlight the impact of hearing loss on development. This includes a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> that examined the link between hearing loss and reading comprehension. The study included 195 students, ages 8-10, whose reading as well as writing and speech comprehension skills were assessed. Researchers found that 25% of the students who experienced reading difficulties also had mild to moderate hearing loss. These studies suggest that hearing loss experienced by infants and children can result in developmental delays which impact learning and communicating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing Signs of Hearing Loss\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of hearing loss which looks different for babies and infants compared to toddlers and young children. Hearing loss symptoms for babies and infants include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n