Hearing loss

Otitis Media can cause hearing loss.

Otitis Media can significantly reduce children’s ability to hear clearly. Hearing loss from Otitis Media can be:

• temporary – children with Otitis Media can experience fluctuating, mild to moderate hearing loss; or
• permanent – severe Otitis Media can cause permanent hearing loss in children.

Hearing loss can have a lifelong impact on children. Hearing loss can affect:

• children’s speech, language and learning;
• their social, physical and emotional development; and
• their long-term education and employment opportunities.

If parents and carers are worried that kids are not hearing well, they should take them to see a health worker, nurse or doctor.

Children usually show some signs of hearing loss. For example, babies and young children with normal hearing should:

• react to loud, unexpected noises;
• turn their head to follow noise;
• respond to familiar voices;
• be able to locate and move towards noise; and
• hear barking dogs, cars and sirens.

Older kids with normal hearing in a family setting should:

• respond when they are called from behind or from another room;
• be aware of signs of danger (hear cars before crossing the road, hear sirens);
• not be asking “What?” all the time or asking for things to be repeated; and
• not need to turn the TV up loud.