Children’s Hearing
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Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Hearing?
Hearing loss is most common as we grow older, but it can affect us at any stage of life even in childhood. Nothing is more important to a parent than the healthy growth and development of your child.
Because we’re also parents, we share your worries and concerns when you suspect that your child is not hearing well or struggling to communicate. We’re also concerned about making sure the process of diagnosing and treating your child’s condition is as easy and stress-free as possible.
Every step of the hearing test process is designed to be friendly, welcoming, and relaxing for you and your child, allowing for greater accuracy, helping provide the best possible solutions, and ensuring that your child keeps a smile on his or her face throughout the process.
Common Types of Hearing Loss That Effect Children
Otitis Media
Otitis media is the most common cause of hearing loss in children, involving inflammation of the middle ear, just behind the eardrum.
It typically involves a buildup of fluid in the Eustachian tube between the middle ear and the back of the throat, which is both smaller and less angled than it is in adults and can be blocked more easily.
The fluid buildup leads to “conductive” hearing loss, which blocks sound from being conducted through the inner ear to the brain. Infectious otitis media is often easier to detect since an earache and fever are often involved. Arnold Hearing Centres, Hearing Health Clinics in Guelph, Kitchener, Simcoe and Waterloo specialize in the treatment of otitis media Schedule your child’s hearing test today.
Congenital Hearing Loss
While the sense of hearing becomes active in most people by around 16 weeks in the womb, some people are born with hearing difficulties or “congenital” hearing loss.
50% or more of congenital hearing loss cases typically stem from genetic issues.
Other causes of congenital hearing loss might include prenatal infections, illnesses, toxins consumed by the mother during pregnancy, infection within the womb, premature birth, gestational diabetes, toxemia during pregnancy, and lack of oxygen (anoxia).
Acquired Hearing Loss
When hearing loss occurs after birth, it is referred to as acquired hearing loss, which is not child-specific. Several risk factors associated with acquired hearing loss in children include frequent ear infections, ototoxic drugs known to affect hearing, meningitis, measles, encephalitis, chickenpox, influenza, mumps, head injuries, and noise exposure.
Noise exposure deserves special mention because it is among the primary causes of acquired hearing loss in children.
The advent of earbuds, video games, and an endless stream of media via smartphones pump damaging sound at excessive volume directly into your child’s ears, making it necessary to monitor your child’s use of earbuds.
The Arnold Hearing Centres professionals in our Guelph, Kitchener, Simcoe and Waterloo clinics specialize in these other types of hearing loss that affect children of all ages
Complete Hearing Assessment
$75
For children 5 years of age and older
Our hearing assessments are a professional and comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health, which includes the following:
Includes:
- Full review of your hearing health background
- Current hearing device performance check (if applicable)
- Otoscopy to observe:
- ear wax, infections, abrasions, growths, perforations of the ear drum, or other obvious disorders
- Pure tone air conduction testing, speech testing, word recognition scoring, and bone conduction testing
All these tests combined will give us a full picture of your hearing health done by a certified hearing professional.
Central Auditory Processing Assessment
$350
For ages 8-50
What to Expect:
- Thorough case history
- Complete hearing assessment (+$75)
- Central auditory processing test battery
- A comfortable and supportive testing environment
- Discussion of preliminary results
- Comprehensive report and recommendations (sent to school, workplace and other medical professionals if applicable)
- Follow up as requested
How To Detect Hearing Loss In Children
Knowing if your child is displaying the warning signs of hearing loss or is at risk of developing hearing loss is an important part of helping them get the help they need as soon as possible. To help you recognize the symptoms of hearing loss in children, here is a list of questions to consider:
Early detection is critical to dealing with hearing loss. If you suspect that your child, age 4 or older, has a hearing problem, contact Arnold Hearing Centres for a thorough and comprehensive hearing evaluation.
If your child is under the age of 4, please let us know, and we can provide you with information on who to contact.
Schedule a Children’s Hearing Assessment
The starting point for restoring hearing loss or preventing it is a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
If others complain about the volume of your television, you no longer enjoy a night out or family gathering due to background noise, friends and family tell you to get your hearing checked, or you simply want to add hearing care to your healthcare checklist, take the first step.
Submit our “Schedule a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment” form, and a member of our team will call you to assist in scheduling your appointment.
Schedule a Children’s Hearing Assessment
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My 3 year old daughter had to get fitted for some swim plugs as she had tubes in her ears, and was extremely nervous and scared. Once we got there, the staff did such an amazing job of walking my daughter through what they were going to do and ensuring her that she had nothing to be scared of. The process of taking the ear impression went without issues or tears. I would absolutely recommend this place to my friends and family.
Glenn L
We have been using Arnold Hearing Centres for years for our kids. Their professionalism, expertise, and excellent approach to children sets them apart. I highly recommend!
Lynn C
Patient Stories
From the moment I walked in, I was impressed. The team was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain everything, addressing my concerns with patience and care.
- Marion C.
Walking into Arnold Hearing Centres, I was immediately struck by how friendly the staff was. They took the time to discuss all my options, making me feel comfortable and well-informed.
- Timothy G.
Book an appointment and get tested. The team at Arnold Hearing Centres will guide you through the process with care and understanding.
- Richard S.
From the moment I stepped into the clinic, the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly, which put all my nerves to rest.
- Gloria F.
From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease. Ryan, the technician, really listened to my concerns and answered all my questions clearly.
- Brad N.
Your Hearing Health Resources
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