But with some children, the infected fluid stays in the middle ear for an extended period of time and can cause temporary hearing loss. Young children may have no symptoms. Older children will be aware of a hearing loss or sense of ear fullness or pressure. While this hearing loss is reversible, children can fall behind in speech and language development and will not progress in school if the condition is not treated promptly. When middle ear fluid persists for months or years, it can lead to irreversible hearing loss and chronic ear infections.
Parents have various options to choose from regarding their child's method or mode of communication.
If this is not appropriate for a child, the League or other professionals are able to refer parents to other programs. The League's program takes a team approach and believes helping the child is a team effort. The first step is a complete evaluation. Through a complete evaluation, we assess the child's capabilities and skills, and the child's needs. These initial evaluations help clarify the various options parents may choose.