More and more students with disabilities such as hearing loss are spending time in general classrooms at school. The number has increased from 59% in 2009 to 65% in 2019.
Considering that hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to learn and impact their school performance it’s important to be aware of the specific challenges they face and make sure they feel included in the classroom.
The Connection Between Hearing and Learning
Hearing loss plays a vital role in our learning process. Being able to hear sounds and words helps children understand the world around them. Children with hearing loss often experience:
- Delayed speech and language skills
- Trouble with sentence structure or understanding complex sentences
- Difficulty reading
These delays can impact a young person’s ability to learn new concepts and be successful in school.
Hearing Loss Can Make Social Interactions Harder for Kids
Communication is also vital to building relationships with other students. Young people with hearing loss may have trouble picking up on auditory clues or struggle with pronunciation. They may try to mimic their peers and pretend to understand what is being said, which can lead to misunderstandings.
If socializing is too hard for your child due to their hearing loss, they may prefer to isolate themselves. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and frustration as well as cause them to withdraw from school activities.
Signs of Hearing Problems to Watch Out for
Whether you’re a concerned parent or a teacher at Highlands Elementary School, it’s important to be aware of some of the more subtle signs of hearing problems in children, so that you can identify those that may need help. These include:
- Trouble paying attention
- Daydreaming
- Speech problems
- Difficulty following directions
- Misunderstanding questions
Oftentimes, children with hearing loss are assumed to have behavioral issues instead. By knowing what to look out for, you can make sure children with hearing loss get an accurate assessment and diagnosis.
Get Your Child’s Hearing Tested
If you suspect your child has hearing loss, the best thing you can do is take them to an audiologist to get their hearing tested. Treatment options like hearing aids, or in more severe cases, cochlear implants, can make learning easier by improving their ability to process certain sounds and speech they were missing before.
If you would like additional information or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact North Alabama ENT Associates today.