When Should Your Child Have a Hearing Test?

While most people who experience hearing issues are older adults, it doesn’t mean all of them are. Children could experience them, too, but at a much lower rate. You might think that means you can overlook your child’s hearing health, but that isn’t the case. It’s a factor in their overall health and is always worth looking after.

Getting your child, a hearing test from an audiologist every once in a while, is always recommended, as are other routine appointments. It’s worth diving into why you should get these done, as well as when your child should see an audiologist.

Why Are Hearing Tests Important?

If you assume hearing issues only affect older adults, you might wonder why you should get your child’s hearing tested. It can be an important exam, no matter how older they are. With newborns, it determines whether they have any ear or hearing-related issues that may get worse in the future.

As your child gets older, it makes sure their hearing and ears are developing appropriately, while catching any issues that might develop. It’s a vital part of looking after your child’s overall health and making sure they don’t develop problems in the future.

When Should Your Child Be Tested?

With how important hearing tests can be for your child, you’ll want to make sure they’re getting checked regularly. When should you see an audiologist for this? Usually, you’ll have some routine checkups in the years after your child is born. Their hearing might be checked:

• A few weeks after birth: Called a newborn hearing screening, this usually takes place before you leave the hospital after giving birth. They’re relatively routine, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
• Between nine months and two years: If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing during this timeframe, it’s worth scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. It makes sure your child’s hearing and ears are developing appropriately for their age.
• Four or five years old: It’s not uncommon for your child’s hearing to be tested when they’re starting school. Sometimes, this is with the school itself, but an outside audiologist could also do the test.

These should be scheduled in the months and years after your child is born, but they’re far from the only times they should see an audiologist. As your child gets older, it’s worth getting their hearing tested relatively regularly. If your child experiences any hearing-related issues, get it checked out quickly.

Every parent wants to make sure their child is happy and healthy. Seeing the doctor regularly is a large part of this, but you should go beyond looking at their general health. Their hearing is also important, but it’s one of the more overlooked senses.

Getting a regular hearing test from an audiologist is an essential part of this. It makes sure your child doesn’t develop any future problems. Do this at key intervals in their life, as well as if they complain about any hearing-related issues.