Identifying hearing problems in children and intervening early is crucial for their auditory and language development. Newborn hearing screenings can timely detect potential issues and arrange follow-up checks. Key monitoring periods are set at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months of age. Parents can observe their child’s auditory behavior daily, such as the inability to turn toward sound sources, lack of response to calling, failure to follow instructions, unclear speech, or difficulty communicating; these are signals that require prompt medical attention.
Maintaining young children’s hearing health includes several important details in daily life:
Proper feeding to avoid choking and promptly and gently cleaning up any spilled milk.
Keeping the outer ear canal naturally clean while avoiding injuries caused by improper cleaning.
Preventing moisture from entering the ears during bathing and swimming to avoid infections.
Avoiding exposure to high-intensity or prolonged noise and limiting the use of headphones.
If there is a family history of medication-related hearing loss, proactively inform the doctor.
Preventing head injuries and ensuring that objects are not inserted into the ear canal.
Being aware of certain diseases, such as mumps and meningitis, which may affect hearing.
Monitoring for unusual ear symptoms, including skin problems, discharge, ear rubbing, discomfort, slow response to sound, and delays in language development; seek medical attention immediately upon discovery.
