In Some cases, babies and young children have hearing problems. Mostly, their parents are not able to pay much attention in the beginning. It is found later in their life when they grow up and could not react to anything due to hearing loss. If these problems are not given attention in early days, then these problems become more serious. The problem of hearing loss can be seen in young children from infants up to 4 years of age. There are four types of hearing loss in children.
- Conductive Hearing Loss – In this type of hearing loss, the sound (voice) does not reach the outer or middle ear. It is one of the most common types of hearing loss in infants and young children, caused by an ear infection or fluid. This type is usually mild, temporary, and treatable.
- Sensorineural hearing loss – It is also called nerve deafness. The reason for the hearing loss is the structure of the ear or the nerves that control hearing. This problem can occur at birth or later. This problem can be mild i.e. inability to hear a light sound or profound.
- Mixed Hearing Loss – This type of hearing loss includes both conductive and sensorineural. This includes the loss of hearing in the outer or middle ear and the nerves that control the structure of the ear or the ability to hear.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder – In this type of hearing loss in children, sound enters the ear normally, but due to damage to the hearing nerve or the inner part of the ear, the brain does not understand words properly.
The diagnosis of hearing loss in children
- Physical examination –The ENT Specialist in Gurgaon, finds out whether the child has hearing loss or not. For this, the doctor can test the structure of the ear.
- Otoscope – An otoscope instrument can be used to diagnose hearing loss in children. this is used to see inside the ear so that the problem can be detected.
- Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) Test – During this test electrodes patches are used. In this test, it is seen how the auditory nerve responds to the sound.
- Otoacoustic Emissions Test – During this procedure a microphone is inserted into the child's ear to detect sounds around the ear. During the test, the sound should resonate in the ear canal. If the sound does not resonate, it means the child has less hearing.
Treatment
Many treatments can resolve the problem of hearing loss. The treatment includes:
- Hearing aids – there are many types of hearing aids available in the market which is worn behind or inside the ear. Hearing loss can be improved with the help of this machine. This machine is made with high technology, your ENT specialist may recommend use.
- Cochlear Implant – Cochlear implant is also a machine, which is implanted in the ear with the help of surgery. It is used for severe hearing loss. It transmits the voice directly to the hearing nerve.
- Surgery – Some problems of hearing loss are treated with surgery. This includes problems related to the eardrum or the small bones inside the ear.
- Medicines – If the child has hearing loss due to an ear infection, then a specialist can give medicine to get relief from this problem. The infection can be cured by using the medicine. When the infection is cured, the complaint of hearing loss can also go away.
