If a child repeatedly fails to respond or turn when called, parents should be alert. It could be a sign of hearing impairment. The cause ma...
If a child repeatedly fails to respond or turn when called, parents should be alert. It could be a sign of hearing impairment. The cause may stem from habits that disrupt hearing and sometimes go unnoticed by parents.
The sense of hearing is one of the body's sensitive and vulnerable parts. If something happens, it can have an impact on the body. It is important for parents to be aware of what bad habits can affect their child's hearing health. Here are some habits that disrupt a child's hearing that should be noted.
What is hearing impairment?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hearing impairment occurs when a part of the ear does not function normally, leading to hearing disturbances. The affected parts of the ear can be the outer, middle, or inner ear, as well as the nerves and auditory system.
If a child experiences hearing impairment, it can affect their speech and socialization skills. It is important for parents to pay attention to their child's development, including being vigilant about habits that can disrupt their hearing. What are some habits that parents sometimes realize that can have a negative impact on a child's hearing?
5 Habits That Can Disrupt a Child's Hearing
There are several habits that can affect a child's hearing. Here are habits that parents should be cautious about.
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1. Excessive headphone use
During the pandemic, remote learning became the norm for schools. To facilitate their child's learning needs at home, parents may provide headphones to help them focus. However, excessive and loud headphone or earbud use can be dangerous and damage a child's hearing.
Continuous exposure to loud sounds entering the ears can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. These cells are responsible for converting sound waves into electrical impulses that the brain perceives as sound.
Therefore, parents should limit their child's headphone usage to protect their hearing. Parents can accompany their child while using headphones, for example, during remote learning, to ensure that it is not excessive.
2. Child's habit of inserting small objects into the ear
Children are in a phase of exploration and curiosity about things around them. One dangerous thing is when a child accidentally inserts small objects into their ear, nose, or mouth.
If a child inserts small objects like cotton into the ear, it can block the ear canal and disrupt hearing. In addition, dirty fingers that enter can leave behind bacteria that can cause problems later on.
3. Impaired hearing due to poor dental hygiene
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is important. Unhealthy dental conditions can affect a child's overall health, including hearing problems. Unhealthy oral conditions are caused by bacteria entering the mouth.
These bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation and narrowing of blood vessels. This leads to poor and obstructed blood circulation. If the blood flow is disrupted, it can have dangerous effects on hearing and heart health.
4. Unhealthy lifestyle
Unhealthy lifestyles, such as consuming unhealthy food, lack of exercise, and exposure to cigarette smoke, can have a negative impact on a child's hearing.
According to the American Lung Association, smoking can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. These hair cells play an important role in capturing sound waves that are then detected by the brain as sound. If the hair cells are damaged, the child's hearing will be affected.
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5. Neglecting cough and cold
In some cases, it has been found that hearing impairment in children originated from cough and cold cases. Parents may consider their child's illness as common, but when a child is sick, it is a sign that their immune system is not fully matured. Prolonged illness can cause ear inflammation, which can disrupt hearing.
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Detecting hearing impairment in children early on
If parents detect hearing impairment in children late, it can lead to speech delays. Additionally, the symptoms or signs indicating hearing impairment may vary in each child. Therefore, parents should be aware of the following signs that indicate whether a child is experiencing hearing impairment:
- Unclear speech
- Inability to follow or misinterpret adult instructions
- Watching television at a high volume
- Frequently responding with "huh?" when spoken to
However, to confirm whether a child has hearing impairment or not, it is advisable for parents to visit an ENT specialist for an examination. The earlier hearing impairment is detected, the better it is for appropriate intervention.
Ways to overcome hearing impairment in children
First and foremost, parents need to determine the type of hearing impairment in their child in order to provide appropriate intervention. Since each type of impairment requires different approaches to overcome it.
There are several ways to address hearing impairment in children, including:
- Cleaning earwax using specialized tools or prescribed ear drops
- Treating other diseases suspected of causing hearing impairment
- Using hearing aids
- Cochlear implantation
Those are some habits that can disrupt a child's hearing that parents should be cautious about.
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