| Sometimes detecting hearing problems in young | | | | knows you're there. In order to catch the attention of a |
| children can be pretty difficult, especially if they can't | | | | child with hearing loss, you might have to stand in front |
| talk yet. It can be hard to tell whether it's just the | | | | of him or otherwise attract his attention through his |
| terrible twos kicking in and making your child ignore you | | | | eyes. |
| or whether he actually can't hear you yelling at him | | | | Speech is a great indicator of hearing loss in a child, as |
| from across the room. There are a few common | | | | well. Don't worry if your child is a couple of months |
| signals, though, to hearing loss in children, and knowing | | | | behind the average age of talking. An average is just |
| how to read these signals can be the difference | | | | an average, and kids can develop at radically different |
| between a few months of hearing problems and a | | | | rates. However, if you have a two-year-old who still |
| few years of minor hearing loss, which can make a | | | | hasn't said many words at all, it might be time to see |
| huge impact on your child's ability to speak, to interact | | | | an audiologist. Sometimes, too, children with minor |
| with others, and to perform well in school. | | | | hearing loss, especially blocked tubes, will start talking |
| Seeming to ignore you is a good indication that a child | | | | but won't be able to speak clearly. Commonly, this |
| might have a hearing problem. There is a difference in | | | | comes out as a child sounding like he or she is under |
| a child who is consciously pretending not to hear you | | | | water. When your child listens to you speak through |
| and a child who actually can't hear you. When your | | | | fluid-filled tubes, it sounds like you are under water, and |
| child is consciously ignoring you, especially if she's too | | | | this is her example for learning to speak. |
| young to have learned how to act well, she'll probably | | | | All of these indicators can work for younger children, |
| give some indication that she hears you – a | | | | but sometimes hearing problems don't occur until a |
| stiffening of the back, a tilt of the head, or an ornery | | | | child is in school. Once in school, some indicators of |
| grin. A child who can't hear you at all will go on playing | | | | hearing problems could be not listening to directions, not |
| as if you had never said a thing at all, even if you're | | | | understanding schoolwork, and getting into |
| speaking loudly or standing nearby. | | | | interpersonal problems with other students. When a |
| Also, you'll be easier able to startle a child who has | | | | child can't hear and can't communicate effectively |
| hearing problems. Pay attention when you walk into | | | | through language, then all of these things could pose |
| the play room behind your child. A child who has | | | | problems, and instead of jumping to a bad behavior |
| good hearing will probably turn at the sound of | | | | theory, you might want to try taking your kid to an |
| footsteps or will give some other indication that he | | | | audiologist for testing. |