Topic Overview
Children
Some hearing problems can delay
your child's speech and language development. Early screening for
hearing loss can help prevent many learning, social,
and emotional problems that can be related to speech and language
development.1
Call your doctor if at any time you suspect your child has
a hearing problem, such as if your baby does not seem to respond to loud noises
or your young child is not making sounds or talking at the expected
ages.
The
United States Preventive Services Task Force
recommends that all newborns be screened for hearing loss.2 Many states require newborn hearing
tests for all babies born in hospitals. Talk to your doctor about
whether your child has been or should be tested. Even
if the newborn test did not show hearing loss, hearing problems could arise.
In most hearing tests, your child
responds to how well he or she hears a series of tones or words (subjective
testing). Hearing is also tested by examining your child's ears or by using an
instrument to measure how the ears react to sound (objective testing). In
objective testing your child is not asked to respond to sounds.
The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends objective hearing testing for all newborns. Objective hearing tests are also recommended for all children at ages 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 years of age.3
Hearing tests
may be a part of well-child appointments.
Adults
Gradual hearing loss can affect people of all ages. You may not be aware of it, especially if it has happened over time. Your family members or friends may notice that you're having trouble understanding what others are saying. If you have concerns about your hearing, talk to your doctor during routine visits.
Take this hearing loss self-test to see if you may need a hearing test.
For more information, see the topics Hearing Tests and Hearing Loss.
References
Citations
- Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, American Academy of
Pediatrics (2007). Year 2007 position statement: Principles and guidelines for
early hearing detection and intervention programs. Pediatrics, 120(4): 898–921. Also available online:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/120/4/898.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2008). Universal
screening for hearing loss in newborns: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Recommendation Statement. Pediatrics, 122(1): 143–148.
Also available online:
http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsnbhr.htm.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2008). Recommendations
for preventive pediatric health care. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents,
3rd ed., p. 591. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Also
available online:
http://brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/Guidelines_PDF/20-Appendices_PeriodicitySchedule.pdf.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven T. Kmucha, MD - Otolaryngology |
|---|
| Last Revised | April 13, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
April 13, 2011
Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, American Academy of
Pediatrics (2007). Year 2007 position statement: Principles and guidelines for
early hearing detection and intervention programs. Pediatrics, 120(4): 898–921. Also available online:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/120/4/898.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2008). Universal
screening for hearing loss in newborns: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Recommendation Statement. Pediatrics, 122(1): 143–148.
Also available online:
http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsnbhr.htm.
American Academy of Pediatrics (2008). Recommendations
for preventive pediatric health care. In Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents,
3rd ed., p. 591. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Also
available online:
http://brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/Guidelines_PDF/20-Appendices_PeriodicitySchedule.pdf.