In Australia, one out of every 1,000 children is diagnosed at birth with a permanent hearing loss, usually identified through newborn hearing screening. By the time they reach school age, 2 in every 1,000 children are diagnosed as having a hearing loss. This is because some cases of hearing loss develop after birth.
Hearing loss in children can develop at any time, even if they passed their newborn hearing screening. It can be temporary, caused by conditions like ear infections or wax blockage, or permanent due to illness, accidents, or genetic reasons.
When children have a hearing loss, they cannot hear certain sounds or parts of conversations. This depends on what type of hearing loss they have and whether it is mild, moderate, severe or profound.
How people talk about hearing loss
People choose to talk about hearing loss in different ways. You might hear people say ‘deaf’, ‘hard of hearing’, ‘hearing loss’ or ‘hearing impairment’.
Generally, the preferred way to refer to hearing loss is ‘deaf’ or ‘hard of hearing’.
'Deaf' usually means a hearing loss that is severe to profound.
'Hard of hearing' usually means a hearing loss that ranges from mild to severe.
Children who have a severe hearing loss may use hearing aids but may also benefit from using cochlear implants. Children who have a profound hearing loss will usually benefit more from using cochlear implants.
Hard of Hearing children have a mild or moderate hearing loss. They will benefit from using hearing aids and will usually communicate through spoken language.
No matter what level of hearing loss a child has, they need to wear their listening devices all the time, as this is very important for their speech, language and learning.
Some people with different types of hearing loss identify themselves as being part of the Deaf community. This means that they want to connect with other deaf and hard of hearing people who understand what it is like to be deaf.
Types of hearing loss
There are four main types of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is sometimes called ‘middle ear deafness’. It happens when there is damage or a blockage in the outer or middle ear which stops sounds from reaching the inner ear properly.
It can be caused by:
- an ear infection
- a build-up of fluid behind the ear drum
- damage to the three tiny bones in the middle ear.
Conductive hearing loss is often temporary and may range from mild to severe.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is sometimes called ‘nerve deafness’. It happens when there is permanent damage to the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear or the auditory (hearing) nerve. This stops or weakens the sound reaching the brain.
A sensorineural hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe or profound.
Mixed hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss is when there is both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder happens when there is a problem with the hearing nerve sending the sound from the cochlea in the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss can range from mild to profound and often changes.
Signs of hearing loss
Depending on the type of hearing loss, your child may not hear you speak if your voice is soft or when there is background noise in the room.
Signs of hearing loss can include:
- delayed speech and language skills
- lack of response to loud noises
- a voice quality that is too loud or hard to understand
- needing spoken words repeated, or misunderstanding what is being said.
Speak to your child’s maternal child and health nurse or doctor if you have concerns about their development. They can refer your child to an audiologist to assess their hearing.
What causes hearing loss
Hearing loss can be caused by:
- genetics
- complications during birth
- premature birth
- jaundice
- infections or illnesses
- chronic middle ear fluid.
Sometimes no cause is found.
Assessment and support
Find out about how to get a hearing assessment for your child, and what support they can get if they're diagnosed with a hearing loss.
How hearing loss may affect learning
The first few years of a child’s life are important for developing language.
Most young children with hearing loss can develop language by five years old as long as they can:
- hear the language (or see sign language)
- take part in early communication with their family, other adults and children.
If a young child’s hearing loss is not treated and communication and language development is delayed, this can affect learning. This may lead to them experiencing learning difficulties.
Early diagnosis to support learning
If your child is deaf or hard of hearing, they can still learn, achieve and reach their full potential. They just need the right support.
Early diagnosis can make a big difference to language development and learning. This could be through:
- infant hearing screening programs
- an early intervention program
- wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Digital hearing aids and cochlear implants mean children with severe and profound deafness can hear speech sounds. If a child is diagnosed early, it’s more likely that they can develop spoken language.
Your child has the same right to education as other children. If needed, their education provider will make reasonable adjustments to support their participation.
Contact the Victorian Deaf Education Institute if you have any questions about education support for your child.
Find more information about hearing loss support:
Find support and advice
If your child is deaf or hard of hearing, there are support organisations to help you and your family:
- ACD (previously Association for Children with a Disability) – helps families find support and advocacy services
- Aussie Deaf Kids – information and advocacy for parents raising a child with hearing loss
- Deaf Children Australia – support for children and their families to make informed decisions
- Deaf Connect – supports Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing Australians
- Deaf Victoria – provides advocacy support and information about deafness
- Expression Australia – supports children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Hearing Australia – funded by the government to provide hearing services to young people up to 26 years old
- Raising Children Network – gives information and advice for parents in Australia
- Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – provides hearing screenings and diagnostic services.
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