Approximately 2 – 4 of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing, making hearing loss the most common birth disorder. More than 3 million American children have a hearing loss, and an estimated 1.3 million are under age 3.
Many studies have shown that early diagnosis of hearing loss is crucial to the development of speech, language, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. Parents and grandparents are usually the first to discover hearing loss in a baby, because they spend the most time with them.
Treatment is most successful if hearing loss is identified early, preferably within the first month of life. Still, one in every four children born with serious hearing loss does not receive a diagnosis until age three or older.
If at any time you suspect your baby has a hearing loss, discuss it with your doctor. He or she may recommend evaluation by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, which you can find at our clinic.