It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to live with undiagnosed hearing loss and what it would be like trying to make it through school with such a condition. We tend to take our hearing for granted, and only when we start to experience issues do we realise how much we rely on our hearing to do the simplest tasks. Now, imagine what it’s like for kids in a school environment struggling with hearing loss. Hearing plays a fundamental role in your child’s ability to learn, and here’s how hearing loss can impact their education:
- Speech and language development
When your child struggles with hearing loss, one of the biggest challenges they’ll face in school is utilising speech and language. Hearing loss impedes a person’s ability to hear and mimic speech sounds accurately, and as a result, this may delay their speech and language development. The delay then further impacts their acquisition of reading and writing skills.
- Attention and concentration
Children with hearing loss may find it more difficult to pay attention and concentrate in school. This doesn’t just pertain to the classroom but on the playgrounds and when interacting with people in general.
- Classroom communication
The inability of your child to hear and communicate accurately with their teacher and classmates means their classroom communication is hindered immensely. When you think about how heavily the traditional classroom relies on verbal communication, it almost seems impossible for a hearing-loss student to learn effectively when oral instructions and classroom discussions relay important concepts and information.
Therefore, we see the dire importance of educators implementing learning strategies such as using technology, written instructions and visual aids to ensure that all students, especially those with hearing loss, are not just reliant on verbal prompts for learning.
- Social interactions
Understanding your child’s education from a holistic perspective means that we understand that their interactions and relationships also impact their ability to learn. Unfortunately, students suffering from hearing loss have difficulty interacting with their peers and building relationships, as they can sometimes appear disinterested and distracted in conversations and playtime. While their friendships aren’t the most important factor in their education, a happy and confident child has a better chance of thriving in school, and their difficulty with communicating with peers can hinder that.
- Academic achievement
A child who is unable to understand concepts in class due to hearing loss and lack of nonverbal learning strategies is likely to suffer in academic achievement. So, as soon as you or your child’s teacher notice a drastic dip in your child’s academic performance, there is a possibility that hearing loss may be to blame, and you should have their hearing tested.
Different types of hearing loss
Not all hearing loss is the same, and there are different types of hearing loss that your child may experience. These include:
- Conductive – this is a type of hearing loss when the sound waves are unable to reach the inner ear because of problems with the outer or middle ear (ear infections, issues with the eardrum or canal or fluid in the ear)
- Sensorineural – this hearing loss is generally permanent and caused by damage to the auditory nerve due to factors such as the use of certain medications, a genetic predisposition or noise exposure
- Mixed – this type of hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
What are the different types of hearing tests done to determine hearing loss?
The type of hearing loss and the degree to which your child’s hearing is impaired can only be diagnosed and determined by professionals. You can take your child to their paediatrician, who may refer you to an audiologist or speech therapist. They will do specific hearing tests to diagnose your child’s hearing loss and determine the best treatment plan. You can contact Hear & Say to learn more about what a hearing test includes.
Here are some of the hearing tests your child may need to have done:
- Behavioural observation audiometry (BOA) tests – these are simple tests that involve observing your child’s response to different noises
- Sound Scouts test – a fun Australian-invented online game that tests hearing in a fun and effective way
- Audiometer – a test that uses a machine that produces sounds, including whistles and beeps, to determine the degree of hearing loss
- Auditory brainstem response testing – tests that measure the electrical activity of the brain when responding to sounds
Final Thoughts
Kids who struggle with their hearing have a much harder time in school, and therefore, it’s important to pay attention and have hearing tests done as soon as you notice or feel that they have hearing loss.