Most people are aware that aging can bring additional health risks, including an increased risk of developing hearing loss. However, many people in Clearwater might be unaware of the fact that children and young people can also suffer from hearing loss. The signs of hearing loss in younger people are largely the same as those affecting older people, and there are some important signs and symptoms to be aware of.
Here are some of the common signs of hearing loss in children and younger people and what you can do to support people with hearing loss.
Difficulty Learning in School
A child may struggle to keep up in the classroom if they are struggling to hear properly. For example, they may not be able to hear what the teachers are saying, or they may lack the confidence to ask or answer questions when prompted. They may fall behind and get lower grades than others in the class. This can sometimes be perceived as a lack of attention or lack of interest, but it is important not to rule out the possibility of hearing loss. Hearing tests can help to identify whether there are problems that are causing hearing challenges for a child in Clearwater. It can also be beneficial for young people with hearing loss to get additional educational support in the classroom or after school hours.
Challenges Making New Friends
Making friends and socializing with other people is an important part of a young person’s life. When a person is suffering from hearing problems, it can result in withdrawal and isolation in social settings. This is often because a person with hearing loss feels unable to fully involve themselves in social conversations and other interactions. If you notice that a young person seems distant during social interactions or actively tries to avoid speaking to their peers, this could be a sign that they are struggling with underlying issues, such as hearing loss.
Complaining About Hearing or Speaking
If a young person is complaining that they cannot hear properly, there may be underlying issues that will only get worse if left unaddressed. Other common signs of hearing loss include problems with speech – for example, a child may find it difficult to string sentences together in the right order or articulate themselves as clearly as they want to. There may be certain sounds that a person finds more difficult to hear or to say, such as the letter “f” or the sound “sh.” Hearing tests are useful tools in identifying hearing problems and testing the overall hearing and listening abilities of your child.
Low Self-Esteem
Because of the effects of hearing loss, a young person can quickly develop low self-esteem as a result. If you notice that a child or young person is becoming increasingly withdrawn or is making negative comments about themselves, consider whether there could be an underlying cause, like hearing loss. If a child is falling behind at school, struggling to make friends, and becoming more frustrated because they cannot hear and speak without difficulty, it is easy to see why this could lead to a lack of self-esteem and confidence. Taking the right steps to support a young person with hearing loss is critical to their overall health, happiness, and well-being.
Support for Young People and Children’s Hearing
If you need assistance with hearing loss in children and young people, such as hearing aids and tests, qualified specialists in Florida are available to speak with you. You can book a hearing test in the Clearwater area by visiting Countryside Hearing Aid Services.
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