Hearing Loss in Children (Part 1 of 2)
The first thing to do if you suspect you have hearing loss is to see your family doctor. They can check your ears for signs of blockage or infection. If neither is present, they may send you to either an otolaryngologist or an audiologist. An otolaryngologist is an ear, nose and throat doctor, and can best diagnose medical problems with your ears. An audiologist is a professional with an advanced degree. They specialize in testing for hearing loss and hearing aid fitting. It is also possible to obtain a hearing aid directly from a hearing aid dealer or consultant. They will be trained to test for hearing loss, and to fit and sell hearing aids.
The next step is to get a full hearing test. This should consists of several different tests, including the lowest sound you can hear, how well you can hear speech in different environments, and how well you tolerate loud noises. Your perception of different tones or frequencies should also be measured.
You should discuss with your doctor or audiologist whether a hearing aid is the best solution for you, or whether it is possible to correct your hearing loss through surgery.
[Part 2 of “Hearing Aids in Children” continues tomorrow. Stay tuned!]
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