Do I Really Need a Hearing Assessment?
When a parent has concerns about their child’s communication one of the first recommendations our Speech Pathologists will make is getting a hearing test. You might be thinking “I know my child can hear, why do I need to get their hearing tested?”. This is a common response, however, for our Speech Pathologists to evaluate your child’s speech and language skills, it is crucial to confirm they have full ability to hear speech sounds and language. Children learn to communicate through listening to others talk, and in order for children to develop spoken language effectively, they must be able to hear others use speech clearly (as well as hear themselves).
Hearing and Language Development
The words we speak are made up of a range of sounds—some loud (e.g., /r/ and /n/), and some with a higher frequency (e.g., /s/, /th/ and /f/). High frequency sounds like "s," “th” and "f," can be easily missed if a child has mild hearing loss. Think about the sentence: "Six foxes sat on the fence." If a child can't hear those quieter sounds clearly, the meaning of the sentence becomes unclear, and they miss out on crucial information. They would also struggle to accurately produce these sounds themselves.
To develop language effectively, children also need the following hearing skills:
Auditory Discrimination: The ability to tell the difference between words and sounds, such as distinguishing between "cow" and "now."
Auditory Comprehension: Understanding and remembering what others are saying.
Auditory Awareness: Detecting sounds in their environment and being able to locate where those sounds are coming from.
Auditory Identification: Recognising and attaching meaning to the sounds and words they hear. It also allows children to monitor their own speech and adjust it based on what they hear.
Without clear functioning of the above auditory processes, language and speech development milestones can be delayed.
What is a Hearing Assessment?
A hearing assessment for children is typically conducted by an audiologist or an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat). These professionals will provide a thorough evaluation of your child's hearing and the functioning of their ears. You can ask your GP for a referral to an audiologist.
Many parents assume that their child’s hearing is fine, especially if they passed their newborn hearing screening. Unlike regular check-ups for vision or dental health, hearing tests often aren’t followed up unless there are obvious concerns. While a newborn screening is important, it is not a guarantee that hearing issues won’t develop later in childhood.
Some forms of hearing loss, like middle ear issues (often caused by colds), can develop later in childhood. This is especially true for conditions like “glue ear,” where fluid builds up in the middle ear, leading to temporary hearing loss and missing out on important language input.
Why Early Detection Is Crucial?
It’s important to detect any hearing issues before starting speech therapy. Children who can’t hear properly won’t make the expected progress in therapy because they can’t fully access what the therapist is saying. Early detection allows us to intervene before significant language delays develop, giving your child the best chance to build strong communication skills. If caught early, many hearing issues can be managed, and your child can continue to develop language alongside their peers.
Signs Your Child Might Have Hearing Difficulties
Here are some common signs that your child may be having trouble with their hearing:
Sounds don’t seem to get their attention.
They frequently tug at or complain about discomfort in their ears.
They don’t respond when you call their name.
They listen to videos, music, or TV at a loud volume.
They often speak loudly themselves.
They have trouble concentrating.
There’s a noticeable delay in their speech and language development.
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s worth getting a hearing test to rule out any underlying issues.
At Small Sprouts Therapy, we prioritise early intervention and can guide you through the process of assessing your child’s hearing if you're concerned about their language development or suspect they may have hearing difficulties. Contact us to discuss the next steps in supporting your child’s communication journey.