The ability to hear plays a significant role in your child’s overall development. If your child suffers from hearing loss, it’s critical to schedule a hearing assessment promptly. Here are three signs your child may need the help of an audiologist. 

3 Common Indicators of Hearing Loss

1. Limited Speech

Children with hearing loss often have limited language abilities. From infancy, children begin to learn how to speak by imitating what they hear. If your child suffers from hearing loss, you may notice that their vocabulary is less developed than their peers or their sentences are less complex. They may also speak too loudly or too quietly. Their speech may generally be difficult to understand, as hearing loss makes it challenging for children to discern and replicate soft speech sounds. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your audiologist for an evaluation. 

2. Volume Control

You may notice that your child turns up the volume on the TV, radio, or other electronic devices. If they seem to be having trouble perceiving sounds played at an apparently reasonable volume, this may be a sign of hearing loss. It’s also a particularly worrying symptom, as repeated exposure to excessively high decibels could exacerbate the condition. 

3. Academic Difficulty 

If your little one has hearing loss, they may misunderstand their teachers and their peers. They’ll likely have trouble gaining mastery of academic subject matter. Lack of clarity and difficulty expressing themselves may lead to seclusion and poor self-esteem. If your child is struggling at school, don’t assume it’s attributable to an underlying behavioral issue or learning disability – it may actually be a sign of hearing loss. The longer the hearing loss goes untreated, the worse its effects, so intervene early by seeking professional care. 

If you’re concerned about hearing loss in your child, Augusta Audiology Associates, PC, in Fishersville, VA, will help. With more than 24 years of experience, these audiologists conduct thorough hearing evaluations on kids of all ages. In the event your little one has a hearing issue, they’ll recommend a range of effective treatments, such as state-of-the-art hearing aids with directional microphones, digital processing, and wireless communication. Call (540) 332-5790 to schedule a hearing evaluation. If you’d like to learn more, visit them online.