Through hearing, babies learn about the world around them, children unravel the code of language, and adults acquire information. When the physical process of hearing breaks down, as it does at some point during the lives of many in the United States, it affects academic, social, family, and career life. Children Hearing loss in young children imperils their ability to learn language. Children who do not acquire basic mastery of language before the ages of 6 or 7 might never achieve fluency in any language. That is why it is so important to identify, as early as possible, the 2 in 100 children younger than 18 who have a hearing loss.
Otitis media can cause temporary hearing loss and repeated episodes can damage hearing permanently.
Less common, but equally significant, is the sensorineural hearing loss present at birth in one of every 1,000 American children. These children need special attention as soon as possible. Audiologists can accurately diagnose hearing loss within a few hours of birth. However, some profoundly deaf children are not identified until age 2 or older. A parent who thinks a child might have a hearing loss should consult an audiologist.