Signs That Your Toddler May Be Dealing With Hearing Loss

If your toddler is dealing with hearing loss, you may be completely unaware of it.  They could appear to have perfectly fine hearing, since they may not have the ability to convey to you that they are having difficulty hearing the sounds going on around them.  That's why it's important for you to be on the lookout for the signs of hearing loss in your child.  Use this information to learn more about how to determine if your toddler could be dealing with hearing loss.

Your Child's Speech Is Impaired

One of the signs that your child may have hearing difficulties can be detected in their speech.  If you notice that your child is not forming their words correctly, it could mean that they have some degree of hearing loss.

Children learn how to speak by listening to other people talk.  They mimic the speech patterns of others so that they can build their own speaking ability.  However, if they're aren't picking up the sounds correctly, you may notice that they aren't pronouncing words correctly, even when you specifically try to train them concerning the right way to say certain words.

Pay attention to the speaking development in your child.  While all children are certainly different, there are different milestones that you want to watch for that signal average speech development.  If you find that your toddler is failing to reach these milestones, or that they are saying words in a clipped, abbreviated or otherwise incorrect fashion, take them to a medical professional so you can have their hearing examined.

Does Your Toddler Turn Toward The Source Of The Sound?

Another thing you want to look for is whether or not your child turns toward the source of a sound.  When you call out to your toddler, they should turn to face your direction, letting you know that they understand where the sound is coming from.

If your child has hearing issues, you may find that they look around frantically trying to determine which direction sounds originate from.  If there are multiple people in the room, they could be confused about which action to take because they can't tell who is speaking to them. 

Paying attention to hearing development in your child gives you the chance to get early treatment for them if there is indeed a problem.  If you notice either of these signs, don't delay. Get your toddler to a hearing professional as soon as possible so they can get the treatment they deserve.

Contact a center like The Hearing Clinic to learn more.


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