Is Your Child’s Hearing on Track? Early Detection Tips Every Calgary Parent Should Know

As parents, we celebrate every little achievement of our children. The first walk, the first day of school, the first word, you just name it. But one critical part of your child’s overall development that’s often overlooked is hearing health. Hearing plays a major role in speech, learning, and overall development. Understanding the early signs of hearing concerns and knowing when to seek professional help can make all the difference. 

In this article, our hearing aid practitioners will share important insights on early detection tips every parent should know.

Why Early Hearing Detection Matters

Children learn their first words by hearing their peers speak. Even mild hearing loss can affect speech and language development, reading, academic performance, social skills, peer relations, and emotional well-being. The earlier a hearing issue is detected, the better it is to get proactive treatment. This not only offers a timely solution but also helps children stay on track developmentally.

Hearing Milestones: What to Expect by Age

Understanding age-appropriate hearing milestones is crucial for tracking your child’s development. While every child develops at their own pace, delays in any of the milestones below can signal a need for professional assistance from a hearing clinic in Calgary. 

1.  Birth to 3 Months

During this stage, babies are highly sensitive to sounds, even when they are not in full control of their movements.

What you should notice:

• The baby startles, blinks, or jumps at sudden loud sounds.
• Calms down when hearing a familiar voice.
• Recognizes and is soothed by rhythmic sounds.
• Makes cooing sounds.
• May cry differently for different needs.

Watch Closely for:

• The baby does not react to loud noises.
• No change in expressions when spoken to.
• Unusually difficult to soothe them with voice alone.

2. 4 to 6 Months

Babies become more responsive and begin connecting sounds with meaning.

Typical milestones:

• Turn eyes or head toward sounds.
• Notice toys that make noise.
• Responds to changes in tone of voice.
• Begins babbling.
• Laughs and vocalizes during play.

Possible concerns:

• Doesn’t turn toward sounds for 6 months.
• Stops babbling.
• Shows no interest in sound-making toys.

 3. 7 to 12 Months

During this period, the child learns the language. Hearing plays a crucial role during this phase. Our hearing aid practitioners in Calgary suggest the following.

 Expect the following behavior:

• Starts responding to their name.
• Understand simple words.
• Imitates speech sounds.
• Understands and recognizes familiar sounds from another room.

 Red flags:

• Does not respond when called by name.
• Seems unaware of everyday sounds.
• No attempt to imitate sounds.

4.  1 to 2 Years 

At this stage, hearing directly supports spoken language development.

Typical milestones:

• The child starts saying the first words around 12-15 months.
• Understand simple instructions.
• Recognises and points to certain body parts when asked.
• Combines two or more words by age 2.
• Easily identifies familiar objects when asked.

Watch closely if your child:

• Uses fewer than 10 words by 18 months.
• It is heavily reliant on gestures instead of words.
• Is unable to follow simple directions.
• Frequently seems confused by spoken instructions.

If you happen to notice any of these signs, it might be time to get a hearing test in Calgary. Proactive diagnosis can go a long way in providing effective solutions and the best treatment under expert supervision. 

5. 2 to 3 Years

During this age, the child’s listening skills become more refined. With this, their vocabulary expands quickly as well.

Things to notice:

• Vocabulary growth. The child should know the most commonly used words by age 3.
• The child should be able to use 2-3 sentences without much difficulty.
• Should be able to follow two-step instructions.
• Recognition of sounds at home and outdoors.
• Your child should have a clear understanding of common questions.

Potential warning signs:

• The child’s speech is much less clear than that of their peers.
• Often fails to understand what’s being said at the first attempt, requiring frequent repetition.
• Turns the volume of tv and other devices way higher than usual.
• Faces difficulty understanding speech in a noisy environment.

An appointment with a hearing clinic in Calgary can provide a detailed assessment and diagnosis of the issue, restoring ability to a great extent.

6.  3 to 5 Years (Preschool Age)

Hearing becomes essential for school readiness and social development.

Typical milestones:

• Understands most of what is said.
• Follows multi-step instructions.
• Participates in conversations.
• Hears from another room.
• Speaks clearly enough to be understood by unfamiliar adults.

Red flags:

• Frequently misunderstands directions.
• Seems inattentive, but may actually not be hearing clearly.
• Has trouble hearing in group settings.
• Ongoing speech delay.

Warning Signs of Hearing Problems

Warning signs of hearing problems can be subtle, especially in the early stages. According to our hearing aid clinic in Calgary, one of the most common and early signs is unclear pronunciation compared to other children of the same age.

Another common sign is that your child needs to turn up the volume on their TV or tablet. While children usually like watching on devices at high volume, an unusually loud, uncomfortable sound is a red flag.

Moreover, unusual changes in behaviour can also signal potential hearing issues. A child who seems inattentive, easily frustrated, or confused by common instructions may actually be having difficulty hearing clearly.

Additionally, it is also important to watch out for any physical signs. If your child has frequent ear infections, complaints of ear pain, fluid drainage, or balance problems, these may temporarily affect hearing. Even a mild, fluctuating hearing loss can affect language development and overall language processing.

Types of Hearing Loss in Children

1.  Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is a condition in which sound cannot travel properly through the outer or middle ear. Some of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss in children include fluid buildup in the middle ear, a blocked ear canal, problems with the eardrum, or structural differences present at birth.

This type of hearing loss is often temporary and can range from mild to moderate. The treatment usually involves being prescribed medications for infections, undergoing surgery in certain cases, or receiving hearing aids in Calgary.

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. Some of the most common causes include genetic factors, certain complications that may have occurred during pregnancy, exposure to excessively loud noises, or unknown causes. 

Sensorineural hearing loss can be managed by getting high-quality hearing aids, Cochlear implants, or speech and auditory therapy. A hearing test in Calgary can verify the precise diagnosis and necessary treatment.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is often described as a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss means there is a problem in both the inner and middle ear or the nerve. The treatment involves medical or surgical care and hearing technology for the sensorineural portion.

4.  Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

A condition where sound enters the inner ear normally, but signals are not properly transmitted to the brain. In such a condition, the hearing may fluctuate, and the child may hear sounds but struggle to understand speech.

With a proper hearing test in Calgary, a clear assessment can be made, and effective treatment can be selected. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Children’s Hearing

1. At what age should my child have a hearing test?

Most babies receive a newborn hearing screening shortly after birth. However, hearing can change over time. You should go for a hearing test in Calgary if you notice concerns about speech delay, frequent ear infections, academic difficulties, or missed developmental milestones. 

2. If my baby passed the newborn screening, can hearing loss still develop later?

Certain types of hearing loss issues can develop due to ear infections, fluid buildups, genetics, illness, or exposure to noise. If your child has passed the newborn screening test, it still doesn’t guarantee normal hearing for life.  

3. Can ear infections cause hearing loss?

Yes, it is quite possible. Some ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss due to fluid buildup in the middle ear. Repeated or chronic infections can affect hearing for extended periods. This can impact speech and learning if left untreated. A hearing clinic in Calgary can recommend the exact treatment needed. 

4. What happens during a pediatric hearing test?

A pediatric hearing test in Calgary checks how well a child hears sounds and how their ears and hearing system are working. The type of test depends on the child’s age and development.