Newborn Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in children is more common than you may think. In fact, two to three out of 1,000 babies are born with a hearing impairment. Your child’s hearing plays a crucial role in their social, emotional, and cognitive development. It’s important to be proactive about your child’s hearing in order to provide them with the resources necessary for success by visiting a pediatric audiologist.
Diagnosing Hearing Loss in Newborns
Most hospitals screen a newborn’s hearing shortly after birth. Up to 10% of infants do not pass the initial hearing test, but this is often the result of movement and crying during the exam, or a buildup of fluid or vernix (the waxy, white protective coating that babies are born with) in the ears. Follow-up testing can confirm whether your baby truly has a hearing loss.
Risk factors for hearing loss in newborns include:
- Premature birth or other complications
- Family history of hearing loss
- Infections such as meningitis or cytomegalovirus
Newborn Hearing Screenings
Hearing loss in newborns can be difficult to detect, which is why it often goes undiagnosed until the child reaches the talking stage. The only way to identify hearing loss in your newborn is to bring them to an audiologist for an infant hearing screening.
At Albuquerque Speech Language Hearing Center, we offer Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) testing for newborns. These tests will allow our audiologists to diagnose hearing loss and determine whether it is permanent or temporary. Our team will then work with you to create a treatment plant that is tailored to your child’s needs.
Pediatric Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is not confined to just adults, children can develop hearing loss during childhood. The main causes of hearing loss in children can be genetic, frequent ear infections, head trauma, loud noise exposure, or due to premature birth. For your child’s development it’s important to monitor their hearing and speech abilities as they grow to catch any signs of hearing loss early. Early intervention is key for your child’s success.
There are a number of signs you should look for that indicate your child should have their hearing evaluated immediately. These include:
- A delay in speech and language
- Failure to respond to loud noise or their name
- Poor academic performance
- Frequent ear infections
- Disorders associated with hearing loss (i.e., down syndrome or autism)
- Family history of hearing loss
If you have noticed any of these signs in your child, contact us immediately for an appointment.
Pediatric Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the most effective management tool for hearing loss in both adults and children. At Albuquerque Speech Language Hearing Center, we carry a wide range of hearing aids, including devices specifically designed for children.
The most common style of hearing aid for children are Behind-the-Ear (BTE) models which have a small casing which sits behind the ear and houses the electronics and then connects to a tube that goes in the ear. These are the best fit for children as they sit securely around your child’s ear while they move throughout the day. This type of hearing aid can also have the molding that goes into your child’s ear changed as your child grows.
If your child has a diagnosed hearing loss, please visit our hearing clinic for a hearing aid or implantable device. We can help your child hear better and develop a plan that puts them on the path to success.
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Clinic Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
8:00am – 6:30pm
8:00am – 6:30pm
8:00am – 6:30pm
8:00am – 6:30pm
8:00am – 3:00pm
Audiology Department
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 6:00pm
Speech Department
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
8:00am – 6:15pm
8:00am – 6:15pm
8:00am – 6:15pm
8:00am – 6:15pm
8:00am – 12:00pm
Holiday Closures
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Black Friday
December 24 – January 2
Location
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9500 Montgomery Blvd NE
Suite 215
Albuquerque, NM 87111
