Paediatric Hearing Loss

What causes paediatric hearing loss?

Hearing loss is a common condition in children and can have a severe impact on a child’s quality of life. Hearing loss can either be conductive or sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss occurs when a disease process interferes with sound waves from the environment reaching the inner ear. Sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss reflects a problem with the nerve conduction of sound from the inner ear to the brain.

In children, hearing loss is most commonly caused by fluid accumulation in the middle ear space (glue ear). Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) can often be a contributing factor. Rarely, hearing loss can be due to genetic conditions or diseases in the middle ear.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss in children?

Hearing loss in children can be associated with recurrent ear infections, speech & language delay, behavioural concerns and poor academic performance.

How do you treat hearing loss in children?

Hearing loss treatment will be tailored to the underlying cause. A hearing test is required to identify the type and severity of hearing loss present. If the hearing loss is due to fluid accumulation in the middle ear (middle ear effusion), then grommets may be indicated.