When a child has hearing loss that is not treated in a timely manner, they can struggle with learning how to talk, understanding simple instructions, and difficulty in social situations.
Here’s how hearing loss can affect language learning at different ages:
- Infancy (0-12 months): Babies start to recognize sounds and their caregivers’ voices. They also begin to “babble,” which is important for learning to talk. If they can’t hear well, they might not babble correctly, which can delay speech.
- Toddlerhood (12-24 months): By 12 months, most children start to say simple words like “mama” or “dada.” If they can’t hear clearly, they might not be able to say their first words or imitate sounds.
- Early Childhood (2-3 years): At this age, kids quickly learn new words and start to form simple sentences. If a child has hearing loss and doesn’t get help, they might have trouble putting sentences together and understanding what others say.
- After Age 3: After age 3, it’s harder for the brain to learn spoken language. If a child has missed out on learning language early on, it might be much harder for them to catch up.
Why Follow-Up Is So Important
- Newborn Hearing Screening: If a baby doesn’t pass the newborn hearing test, it’s important to follow up. The screening is just the first step, and if a baby doesn’t pass, a doctor should check their hearing more carefully by the time they are 3 months old. The earlier hearing loss is found, the sooner a child can get help, like hearing aids or other treatments.
- The Best Time for Help: The earlier a hearing problem is found, the sooner your child can get the help they need. Kids who get support before they’re 6 months old have better chances of developing good speech, language, and learning abilities overall compared to kids who don’t get help until after they turn 1 year old.
Conclusion
The first 3 years of a child’s life are very important for learning to talk. Once this time is missed, it’s hard to make up for it. If we find hearing loss early and get the right help, kids have a better chance of developing strong speaking and language skills, which helps them succeed in school, make friends, and feel good about themselves. If hearing loss isn’t treated early, it can make it much harder for children to catch up.
If you have concerns for your child’s hearing, don’t wait! Call our office and request to be seen by a pediatric audiologist today!
