The ability to hear properly is vital for young children and their natural development. Understanding the importance of early detection is critical, as the sooner intervention takes place, the quicker we can identify the type of hearing loss your child is suffering from, and the effective treatment available.

Unfortunately children with hearing loss can, as a result, experience delayed language and speech development. Recent research has revealed that early discovery and intervention for hearing loss before six months of age can result in significantly better outcomes. Following the screening process, it’s critical that you watch for any hearing loss signs in your baby.

What Are the Causes of Hearing Loss in Children?

In many cases, children experiencing hearing loss are born to parents with normal, regular hearing. As mentioned, if you understand the condition early on and seek professional treatment, you can get your child the help needed so he or she can continue to learn, play, and keep up with other children their age.

Typical causes of hearing loss in children include:

Otitis Media: This middle ear infection happens often in young children because the tubes that connect the middle ear to the nose, called Eustachian tubes, aren’t fully formed. Fluid builds up behind the eardrum and can get infected. Even if there’s no pain or infection, the fluid can affect hearing if it stays there, at least for a short time. In severe and long-lasting cases, otitis media can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Problems at Birth: Some children are born with hearing problems. Most of the time, they’re tied to a child’s genes. Other times, it happens during pregnancy or from prenatal care. Hearing loss can also happen when a pregnant woman has a medical condition like diabetes or preeclampsia. A baby born prematurely is at higher risk, too.
Illness or Injury: Young children can lose their hearing after they get some illnesses, including meningitis, encephalitis, measles, chickenpox, and the flu. Head injuries, very loud noises, and some medications can also cause hearing loss.

Treating Pediatric Hearing Loss Disorders Related to:

• Congenital and genetic disorders
• Contact with ototoxic medications
• Head trauma/skull fracture
• Perinatal complications, like anoxia
• Exposure to substantial noise

At Union Hearing Aid Centre, our audiologists are highly qualified and experienced in testing and fitting hearing aids for children of all ages and developmental stages. Our union hearing aid centre is designed to be comfortable and inviting for children, making your visit as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Our team is made up of dedicated and supportive audiologists who are passionate about assisting families with hearing loss experiences. It is our top priority to provide families and their children with regular, ongoing support, including recommendations and professional guidance surrounding treatment options. We are aware and sensitive to the fact that our patients and families are dealing with unique and potentially stressful circumstances. Our professionals are confident that our capabilities and commitment to treating children with hearing loss will surpass your expectations and result in excellent care for your child.

Pediatric Hearing Treatments and Services

• Complete audiological, including brain stem auditory-evoked response (BAER) studies.
• Work closely with otolaryngology, neuro-otology, speech and language pathology and psychology to provide the most thorough service
• Diagnostic evaluations for NICU patients who have not passed their newborn hearing screening
• Outpatient screenings for children who weren’t successful with their original newborn hearing screening
• Hearing assistive technologies
• Hearing aids
• Educational resources for parents concerning hearing loss, hearing aids and cochlear implants

Every child who is fit with a hearing aid through our office receives a generous supply of batteries, a hearing aid battery tester, a stetoclip listening device, earmold cleaning kit, and an air blower absolutely free of charge.

Children also receive a teddy bear wearing hearing aids with every hearing aid purchase. Additional teddy bears may be purchased for $30.00 CDN.

If you would like to learn more about kids’ hearing aids, our Toronto location is only a phone call away. Connect with us by calling 416-364-2264.