Improve Your Child’s Hearing Before School Starts Again

Hearing plays a pivotal role in a child’s development, influencing their language acquisition, social interactions and academic success. Pediatric hearing issues present unique challenges, but with the right tools and team, you can improve your child’s hearing before school starts again.

Loss of hearing in childhood can have a number of causes. Conductive hearing loss is usually temporary, often due to obstructions like earwax buildup or fluid in the middle ear as part of an infection. Once the underlying cause is treated, hearing is restored. Sensorineural hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear or nerves and is usually permanent. Treatment involves more intensive interventions like hearing aids or surgery.

Pediatric Hearing Evaluations & Treatments at Biltmore ENT

Biltmore ENT offers pediatric hearing evaluations for children aged 6 months and older. Depending on the child’s age and developmental level, assessments may include a behavioral audiometry test to observe a child’s responses to sounds, tympanometry to evaluate the function of the middle ear, auditory brainstem response to measure the hearing nerve’s level of response to sound or an otoacoustic emissions test to assess the inner ear’s function. These tests help determine the type and extent of hearing loss, guiding appropriate treatment plans.

Treatment varies based on the diagnosis. Earwax removal can restore hearing if a physical blockage is the issue. Ear tubes inserted into the eardrum prevent fluid buildup and reduce the recurrence of infections. Eardrum patching can seal small holes in the eardrum, while tympanoplasty surgically repairs a perforated eardrum using the patient’s own tissue. Hearing aids can be tailored to both a child’s specific hearing loss and lifestyle. Tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy can remove the tonsils and adenoids to treat breathing problems that may affect hearing.

If you notice signs like delayed speech, inattentiveness or frequent ear infections, it’s time to call Biltmore ENT. Early intervention can mean improved outcomes sooner.

Contact our office today at (602) 956-1250 or click here to request an appointment.