While hearing loss occurs more frequently in older adults, the CDC estimates that approximately 1 to 3 per 1,000 children have hearing loss. If untested or undiagnosed, this can have a profound impact on their development and learning, especially in the classroom. After all, this could make it harder for them to pay attention in class or to follow along in conversations with peers.

Fortunately, hearing loss can be identified relatively quickly in children, often before they have even started school. However, this is something that should be tested regularly in order to respond to any challenges that may arise as they grow and develop. As such, the team at South Burnet Hearing recommends that tests take place before students return to school each year. Read on to find out more!

The Link Between Hearing and Learning

Educational Impact.

Hearing loss can have a profound effect on a child’s performance in school. For example, it could make it far harder for them to contribute to conversations in the classroom or to understand what is being asked of them by their teachers. This could mean that they find it difficult to keep up with their peers, performing badly in tests and assignments.

Social and Emotional Consequences.

Our auditory health also plays a role in speech development, which in turn can have a profound impact on our ability to communicate with others. In a school setting, this could make it harder for children to forge strong relationships with their peers at a time when friendships are integral to our social development and well-being.

This could also mean that children struggle with their self-esteem and confidence levels, especially if they struggle to express themselves clearly.

Benefits of Early Hearing Checks

Access to early hearing checks brings forth many benefits to children. This is because it enables audiologists and other hearing professionals to detect or identify hearing issues before they become problematic at a time when intervention is still possible. In cases where children are dealing with hearing loss, they may recommend treatments such as the use of hearing aids. The sooner children get used to wearing this kind of device, the more benefits they will enjoy, and the easier the transition will become.

How to Incorporate Hearing Checks into Back-to-School Prep

Back-to-school prep can be stressful enough without adding another task to your to-do list, but this is something that you cannot afford to gloss over. As such, you should be sure to schedule a visit with a pediatric audiologist in your local area before school starts or enquire further into at-school screenings if they are offered in your area.

If this is the first time your child is having their hearing tested, talk them through the process ahead of time so that they know what to expect. This can keep their nerves at bay and gives them the chance to ask more in-depth questions about their hearing health to both yourself and the professionals carrying out the appointment.

You should also pay close attention to your child’s hearing health (alongside your own), keeping an eye out for potential signs of hearing loss, such as difficulties following along with conversations or needing to turn up the TV volume to an uncomfortable level. This way, you can arrange for further tests or appointments when necessary. You can find more information about hearing loss here.

Final Thoughts.

Hearing health checks play a key role in a child’s ability to learn and interact, both inside and outside of the classroom. As such, it’s important that you consider hearing tests to be a routine part of your back-to-school preparations, as they are just as crucial as immunizations, annual physical exams, and even buying books and school supplies.

If you’re looking for a pediatric audiologist you can trust, you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch today to schedule a hearing check for your child!