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You can have a hearing test done at all ages, including for infants. Sensory loss can happen at all stages of life, and some are even present at birth. Studies show that approximately two out of every one thousand babies born in the United States are born with some sort of inability to hear properly. It is actually the most common birth defect. The development of babies and children is heavily reliant on their ability to hear and problems negatively affect language and social skills. Even if a child only has mild loss, they are more than ten times more likely to be held back in school than a child with normal auditory abilities. As a result, it is extremely important to catch any impairment, no matter how minor, early on. According to experts, if a baby receives help for a sensory issue prior to six months of age, that is the best possible timeframe to catch it in. Most babies are given a hearing test in the hospital after they are born. It only takes a matter of minutes, and the results are reliable. There are certain signs to look for in a baby to recognize whether or not they can hear normally. For example, a normal newborn will be startled by loud noises. By two months of age, your baby should become quiet when they hear your voice, and around four months they should be looking around to locate the source of a loud noise. At six months of age, babies begin to imitate sounds, and by nine months they turn towards softer sounds. And by one year of age, they should say "ma-ma" or "da-da", as well as responding to music. There are also warning signs of loss. Newborns that don't respond to loud noises and, conversely, aren't soothed by soft sounds, may be at risk. Additionally, a newborn baby sleeping in a quiet room should either move or wake up if someone comes in and starts talking. By two months of age, if a baby isn't making vowel sounds such as "oooo" or if they're not quieting down when they hear a familiar voice, it could be a sign of trouble. And between four and eight months of age, babies who don't change expressions in response to a voice or noise or don't enjoy rattles, ringing bells or other noisemaking toys, may have hearing loss. Finally, between nine and twelve months, they should turn immediately towards the source of a soft noise or "shush" and should respond to their names. They should also say single words by one year of age and understand words for common items such as shoes. If you suspect a problem with your baby's ability to hear have a hearing test done immediately. Their ability to hear affects their development, so the sooner you catch it, the better. There are listening aids for babies, and depending on the cause of their loss there could even be surgical solutions, including implants. If their impairment is present from birth, there may not be any way to help. Seeing an audiologist, which is a doctor specializing in hearing, is the best way to get the answers you need. In Bristol, TN hearing test services from Miracle-Ear are important for child development. Learn more by visiting http://www.miracle-ear-bristol.com.
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