Pediatric Audiology Services
Identifying hearing loss as early as possible is critical for the best outcomes!
Most commonly children are diagnosed after a failed newborn hearing screening, but sometimes hearing loss is acquired later and not caught until the child is older and has delayed speech and language development or is struggling in school.
Severe or profound hearing loss may be obvious because the child may not respond to sound. But noticing milder forms of hearing loss—including hearing loss in only one ear—can be more difficult. That is why regular hearing evaluations as children grow and mature is so important.
Because children learn to speak by listening, children with unidentified hearing loss often have trouble learning to speak, and they experience delays in their language and speech development. For this reason, it is important to pay careful attention to causes of hearing loss in children, and how quickly and well your child is learning to speak and understand language when compared to other children of the same age.
Signs of Hearing Loss in Children:
- Delays in the development of a child’s ability to speak and use language as compared to others of the same age; this difference in speaking and language ability may be noticed at home, at school, or in the childcare setting
- Difficulty with paying attention and behaving
- Difficulty with academic performance
- Inappropriate, delayed, or lack of response to soft and moderate-level sounds or spoken language when distractions are minimal
- Difficulty understanding speech when there is background noise
- Sitting close to the TV when the volume is loud enough for others; increasing the volume on the TV or other audio electronics to unreasonably loud levels
- Not responding to voices over the telephone or continually switching ears when on the phone
- Not “jumping” or becoming startled by sudden, loud noises
- Unable to accurately figure out where a sound is coming from
A Lot Can Be Done To Help Children With Hearing Loss!
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing
The pediatric audiologists at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center have experience and special expertise to test patients as young as one week old. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing is used for those who are either too young to give a response to sound or are unable to give a response due to physical or cognitive disabilities. Beyond ABR testing, visual reinforcement and conditioned play audiometry can be used to behaviorally test children until they are old enough to use a traditional hand raise response to tones.
Amplification Options
Upon completion of diagnostic testing, our audiologists will consult with you to determine which of the many treatment options is best to support your child’s needs.
BHSC is Here to Help!
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(716) 885-8318
(716) 885-8318
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At Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, we are dedicated to helping you overcome any hearing, speech, communication, or educational need you have. Call us to speak with a Specialist or Write Us A Message.
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