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Your child's hearing

Hearing is something we often take for granted, but around 3 deaf babies are born every day in the UK. Hearing loss affects a child's speech, language, educational and social development. Early detection of deafness is vital in order to enable a child to have the best possible opportunity to develop crucial language and communication skills, at the same rate as their hearing peers. Use the guide below to find out which hearing checks are available for children and how to spot signs of hearing loss. 

Children's hearing

According to the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), there are at least 35,000 children in the UK with permanent deafness. In addition one in five children between the ages of one and three years old will experience a bout of Glue Ear which can cause temporary deafness.

Early identification of a hearing problem can make a huge difference to that child's life. In some areas of the UK, children also have a routine hearing test in their first year at school. The NDCS are keen to emphasise that a hearing problem can develop at any age, so any parent concerned about their child's hearing should ask their GP or health visitor to refer them for a hearing test.

So how does a child's hearing develop? A baby's inner ear is fully developed at birth and there is evidence that babies respond to familiar voices even while still in the womb. A baby's hearing sensitivity and their responsiveness to sound develops throughout the first year of life. Their listening and processing skills (how the brain make sense of the sounds we hear) continue to develop throughout childhood. The NDCS outlines the progression of a child's hearing as follows:

• Shortly after birth a baby is startled by sudden loud noises such as a hand clap or a door slamming. A baby will blink or open its eyes widely to sounds, stop sucking or start to cry. At 1 month old, a baby starts to notice prolonged sounds like the noise of a vacuum cleaner and may turn towards the noise. A baby will pauses and listen to the noises when they begin.
• At 4 months old, a baby quietens or smiles to the sound of familiar voice even when unable to see who is speaking. They will turn their head towards the voice and will show excitement at sounds.
• At 7 months old, a baby turns immediately to familiar voices across the room and even very quiet noises made to either side of them.
• At 9 months old, a baby listens attentively to familiar everyday sounds and searches for very quiet sounds that are made out of sight.
• At 12 months old, a baby shows some response to its own name. Babies may also respond to expressions like "no" and "bye bye" even when any accompanying gesture cannot be seen.

According to the NDCS, ninety per cent of deaf children are born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness. Given the right support, says the organisation, there is no reason for any deaf child to develop language at a slower rate than a hearing child with similar abilities. Deaf children enjoy music just like their hearing peers. Most use hearing aids or cochlear implants that enable them to hear the music, others enjoy the vibration. Deaf babies and young children benefit from rhythm, pitch, action songs etc in their development like hearing youngsters.

Tests & checks 

• Every parent of a newborn baby is offered a hearing test shortly after birth. For more information on the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme and what it involves, visit: http://hearing.screening.nhs.uk/
  
• If you are concerned about your child's hearing, you can ask your GP or Health Visitor to refer your child for a hearing test.
  
• Parents with concerns about their child's hearing can also contact the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) via their Free Phone Help Line: 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) or email helpline(at)ndcs.org.uk. Lines are open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also visit: http://www.ndcs.org.uk. NDCS is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. The organisation represents the interests and campaigns for the rights of all deaf children and young people from birth until they reach independence.

In Your Area

The In Your Area section is a UK-wide directory of services. For parents, this allows you to find local music-making projects for your under 5's. Find a project here.

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